Your President Wants To Sell Our Presidential Jet

[justseyi]

Personally i’ll say baba just wants to spend money on a new one.

After nearly two decades in service, the Federal Government has officially placed its aging Boeing 737-700 Business Jet (BBJ) on the market. The listing is now live on a U.S.-based aviation marketplace, Controller.com, and the jet is being managed through AMAC Aerospace, a renowned aviation company based in Basel, Switzerland.

This aircraft, once the crown jewel of Nigeria’s presidential fleet, was acquired in 2005 for $43 million during the Olusegun Obasanjo administration. It faithfully served several presidents, including former President Muhammadu Buhari and, most recently, President Bola Tinubu, who stopped using the jet after transitioning to a refurbished Airbus A330-200 in August 2024.

But why sell it now?

Aging Jet, Rising Costs

According to presidency sources, the BBJ—tail number 5N-FGT—has become increasingly expensive to maintain and has raised red flags over safety. This concern heightened after a mechanical incident during President Tinubu’s official trip to Saudi Arabia in April 2024.

Although the aircraft underwent partial refurbishment in July 2024, including fresh carpeting and upgraded first-class seating, the writing was already on the wall. The BBJ’s nearly 20-year service history has made it a liability rather than an asset.

And while a portion of the fleet remains operational, three of Nigeria’s seven fixed-wing aircraft are reportedly unserviceable. The presidential fleet, which includes a Gulfstream G550, Gulfstream G500, two Falcon 7Xs, a Hawker 4000, and a Challenger 605, is overseen by the Nigerian Air Force under the Office of the National Security Adviser. Rotor-wing support includes two Agusta 139s and two Agusta 101 helicopters.

From Statecraft to the Sales Floor

The decision to sell isn’t just about maintenance. Both the Buhari and Tinubu administrations pledged to downsize the Presidential Air Fleet to cut costs—a promise that appears to be taking shape.

Since early 2025, President Tinubu has instead been using a San Marino-registered BBJ with the registration T7-NAS. Meanwhile, the newly acquired Airbus A330-200—reportedly purchased for around $100 million after being repossessed from a German bank—has been undergoing cosmetic and internal upgrades.

In May 2025, sources confirmed the A330 was flown to South Africa to receive a new livery matching Nigeria’s green-white-green colours. “The last I heard, it’s still abroad for refurbishment,” one official told us. “It didn’t have the Nigerian colours yet, and they were also making interior adjustments.”

Inside the BBJ: What Buyers Get

Now listed for sale, the BBJ is currently undergoing B1-B2 inspections at AMAC Aerospace. It previously completed C1-C2 inspections in July 2024, and maintenance is being tracked via the Veyron system.

Externally, the jet still sports its original 2005 paint job—white with green accents in homage to the Nigerian flag.

But the interior is where it shines.

The aircraft is configured to carry 33 passengers and 8 crew across five zones:

• Zone 1: Crew rest area with two crew rest seats and two cabin attendant seats.

• Zone 2: A VIP stateroom featuring a full bed, divan, and private lavatory.

• Zone 3: A four-seat conference-style VIP lounge.

• Zone 4: Nine forward-facing first-class seats.

• Zone 5: Eighteen forward-facing business-class seats.

The galley setup is equally luxurious, with full-service kitchens fore and aft, including a steam oven, microwave, warming drawers, and chilled storage.

Passengers can also enjoy Ka-Band Wi-Fi via Honeywell’s MCS-7000, with entertainment screens strategically placed in the master bedroom, VIP lounge, first-class, and business-class zones.

Flight Tech and Engine Specs

The jet is fully compliant with modern air navigation standards (ADS-B, CPDLC, FANS-1/A, RVSM) and includes:

• Avionics: Rockwell Collins FCCs, HF transceivers, Thales ADC/ADM units, Honeywell ADIRUs, TCAS, and weather radar.

• Flight and Engine Monitoring: Systems by BAE Systems, Honeywell, Teledyne Controls, and more.

• Emergency and Navigation Aids: Artex ELT, Rockwell Collins MMR(GLU), ADFs, and more.

• Cabin Pressurization: Managed by dual Nord-Micro CPCs.

The twin CFM56-7BE engines have logged 3,821 hours and 1,881 cycles each. They’re currently “on condition,” meaning they are not enrolled in any formal maintenance program—something potential buyers should consider. The Honeywell 131-9B auxiliary power unit has 5,982 hours and 3,622 cycles.

With eight auxiliary tanks, the BBJ boasts an impressive 70,000-pound fuel capacity, giving it intercontinental range—an attractive feature for VIP and head-of-state clients.

What’s Next?

AMAC Aerospace is handling inquiries and has opted not to publicly disclose the asking price—interested buyers must reach out directly.

For a jet that once carried Nigerian heads of state across continents, the sale marks the end of an era and a new chapter in aviation transparency and fiscal responsibility.

[Author]

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