By Ghazali Ibrahim
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has officially listed Nigeria’s ageing Boeing 737-700 Business Jet (BBJ) for sale in Switzerland, following its replacement with a newly acquired Airbus A330 meant for presidential use.
The jet, which has served Nigerian presidents since it was purchased in 2005 under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, is currently undergoing inspections at AMAC Aerospace in Basel, Switzerland.
The same private aviation firm handled the recent acquisition and refurbishment of the Airbus aircraft now designated as Nigeria’s new presidential jet.
According to aircraft listing platform Controller, the BBJ has flown just under 4,000 hours and completed 1,881 landings over nearly two decades of service.
It boasts a five-zone interior configured for 33 passengers and eight crew members.
Features include a private bedroom with ensuite shower, a VIP office, a conference/dining area, first-class and business-class sections, and modern communication systems including Ka-band internet, ADS-B Out, CPDLC, and FANS 1/A.
Despite undergoing partial refurbishment as recently as July 2024 which included new first-class seats, carpet replacement, and major technical inspections.
Government officials cited high maintenance costs and safety concerns as key reasons.
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga defended the decision, referencing a previous malfunction during a presidential trip to Saudi Arabia that prompted concerns in the National Assembly.
“The aircraft had become a safety risk and financially burdensome to maintain,” Onanuga said.
In July 2024, Nigeria took delivery of an Airbus ACJ330-200, now registered as 5N-FGA, to replace the BBJ. The refurbished aircraft features a full bedroom suite, presidential office, and a mix of first-class and economy seating in the rear.
However, the N150 billion (approximately $100 million) cost of the new jet sparked public criticism amid widespread economic hardship and inflation.
Although officials say the Boeing jet remains in good condition, it is not enrolled in an engine maintenance program, and both of its CFM56-7BE engines are listed as on condition.
It also remains unclear how much the government expects to earn from the eventual sale, as neither AMAC Aerospace nor the presidency has released an asking price.
