The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially listed a Boeing 737‑700 Business Jet (BBJ)—a key component of the presidential fleet—for sale, citing high maintenance costs and safety concerns.
The jet, acquired in 2005 for $43 million under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has been in service for nearly two decades. The listing is currently hosted by AMAC Aerospace in Basel, Switzerland, and was published on the aircraft marketplace Controller.com, based in the United States.
Safety and Cost Concerns Prompt Sale
According to reports by Vanguard, the decision to offload the aging BBJ follows increased operational costs and recent mechanical issues, particularly a technical incident that occurred during an official trip to Saudi Arabia in April 2024.
The aircraft has since undergone comprehensive inspections and maintenance in preparation for the sale, ensuring it meets regulatory and airworthiness standards.
Shift to Airbus A330-200 Under Tinubu’s Administration
The BBJ sale comes months after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu transitioned to using a refurbished Airbus A330-200 in August 2024, amid growing public pressure to cut costs associated with the presidential air fleet.
The Airbus, viewed as a more modern and cost-efficient alternative, was reportedly selected to better align with the administration’s economic reforms and austerity measures.
Overview of the Presidential Fleet
Nigeria’s presidential air fleet, managed by the Nigerian Air Force in conjunction with the Office of the National Security Adviser, currently includes approximately 10 aircraft, both fixed-wing and rotary. These include:
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Gulfstream Aerospace G550 (13 years old)
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Gulfstream G500
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Two Dassault Falcon 7Xs
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Hawker 4000
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Bombardier Challenger 605
The decision to sell the BBJ could signal a broader push toward downsizing and modernizing the presidential fleet in response to ongoing economic challenges and public demand for fiscal responsibility.
