By Peter Omopo
Basel, Switzerland – July 6, 2025 — The Federal Government of Nigeria has listed its nearly two-decade-old Boeing 737-700 Business Jet for sale through AMAC Aerospace, a Swiss-based aviation services company located in Basel.
The aircraft, originally purchased in 2005 under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo for $43 million, has been deemed obsolete by the current administration, which is now seeking to streamline the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF) for cost-efficiency.
According to details obtained from the U.S.-based aircraft listing site Controller.com, the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ), tail number 5N-FGT, is now up for private sale following a round of maintenance and inspections in preparation for its disposal. The jet served as the main presidential aircraft until August 2024, when President Bola Tinubu switched to a refurbished Airbus A330-200 amid public scrutiny over government spending.
The decision to offload the BBJ comes after it was increasingly considered expensive to maintain. It also faced heightened safety concerns, especially following a mechanical failure during an official trip to Saudi Arabia in April 2024. Despite partial refurbishment last July—including seating upgrades, new carpeting, and a completed C1-C2 inspection—the aircraft remained a costly asset without inclusion in any engine maintenance programme. Both of its CFM56-7BE engines are listed as “on condition,” lacking guaranteed performance coverage.
Configured to carry 33 passengers and eight crew members, the aircraft features a five-zone layout. These include a crew rest area, a VIP stateroom with a bed and private lavatory, and a VIP lounge with a four-seat conference room.
Currently, Nigeria’s presidential fleet consists of approximately 10 aircraft, including several fixed-wing jets—such as a Gulfstream G550, G500, two Falcon 7Xs, a Hawker 4000, and a Challenger 605—as well as four helicopters, operated by the Nigerian Air Force under the oversight of the Office of the National Security Adviser. Three of the seven fixed-wing aircraft are reportedly unserviceable.
The listing does not specify a price, with interested buyers advised to contact AMAC Aerospace directly for further details.
President Tinubu has since been using a San Marino-registered BBJ (T7-NAS) pending the completion of cosmetic and structural upgrades to the newly acquired Airbus A330-200, which was purchased for approximately $100 million from a repossessed asset owned by a German bank.
The new A330, registered 5N-FGA, has undergone reconfiguration and painting in South Africa to reflect Nigeria’s national colours and is expected to become the long-term official aircraft of the Presidency.
