ABUJA — THE Federal Government has placed on sale a two-decade-old Boeing 737‑700 Business Jet (BBJ) with the listing hosted by AMAC Aerospace in Basel, Switzerland.
The Presidency source said that with over 19 years in service, the BBJ has become increasingly expensive to maintain and subject to safety scrutiny, particularly after a mechanical incident during an official trip to Saudi Arabia in April 2024.
This disclosure for the sale of the Boeing 737‑700 Business Jet (BBJ) was made via a US-based aircraft listing site, The Controller.
The aircraft, used during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and acquired for $43m in 2005, is being sold months after President Bola Tinubu transitioned to a refurbished Airbus A330-200 last August amid economic concerns and public scrutiny.
The plane had undergone inspections and maintenance in preparation for sale, according to aviation marketplace Controller.
Nigeria’s presidential air fleet, overseen by the Nigerian Air Force and the Office of the National Security Adviser, has about 10 aircraft.
These include fixed wings such as a 13-year-old Gulfstream Aerospace G550, a Gulfstream G500, two Falcon 7Xs, a Hawker 4000, and a Challenger 605.
Three of the seven fixed wings are reportedly unserviceable.
It’s not only the body paint. I learned they are doing some refurbishment on it,” a second official stated.
The Swiss private aviation firm, which facilitated the acquisition of the Airbus A330, PUNCH Online, understands, is also preparing the BBJ-737 for sale.
With over 19 years in service, the Presidency said the BBJ became increasingly expensive to maintain and subject to safety scrutiny, particularly after a mechanical incident during an official trip to Saudi Arabia in April 2024.
Despite a partial refurbishment in July 2024, including upgrades to its first-class seating, new carpeting, and completion of C1-C2 inspections, the presidency is retiring the jet and listing it for sale.
Also, the aircraft is not enrolled in any engine maintenance programme, while both of its CFM56-7BE engines remain “on condition,” that is, they are not subject to guaranteed performance coverage.
According to the listing, interested buyers may contact AMAC Aerospace for the asking price privately.
Configured to carry 33 passengers and 8 crew, the listing said the aircraft offers a 5-zone seating layout