The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially listed for sale its 19-year-old Boeing 737-700 Business Jet (BBJ), marking a significant move in the ongoing effort to streamline and modernize the nation’s presidential air fleet. The listing is being handled by Swiss private aviation firm AMAC Aerospace, based in Basel, Switzerland.
Presidential BBJ Listed on U.S. Aircraft Marketplace
The aircraft, which was originally acquired in 2005 for $43 million during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, is now being advertised on a U.S.-based aircraft marketplace, Controller.com. The sale comes following the Federal Government’s decision to retire the BBJ due to its high maintenance costs and growing safety concerns, particularly after a mechanical incident occurred during an official visit to Saudi Arabia in April 2024.
Link to listing:
2005 Boeing BBJ for Sale – Controller.com
Transition to Airbus A330-200 and Temporary Use of Foreign BBJ
President Bola Tinubu officially ceased using the BBJ (registration 5N-FGT) in August 2024 after transitioning to a refurbished Airbus A330-200 (registration 5N-FGA), which had been acquired from a repossessed German bank asset for approximately $100 million (around ₦150 billion). The new aircraft was first sent to France for reconfiguration and has since been flown to South Africa for livery updates and further refurbishment to align with Nigeria’s national colours and presidential standards.
In the interim, President Tinubu has been flying in a San Marino-registered BBJ (T7-NAS) since February 2025.
Aircraft History and Configuration
The 2005 Boeing BBJ being sold is configured to carry 33 passengers and 8 crew members in a five-zone layout:
Zone 1: Crew rest area with two crew rest seats and two attendant seats.
Zone 2: VIP stateroom with a full bed, two-place divan, and a private lavatory.
Zone 3: VIP lounge with a four-seat conference setup.
Zone 4: Nine forward-facing first-class seats.
Zone 5: Eighteen forward-facing business-class seats.
Additional amenities include full-service forward and aft galleys, featuring a steam oven, microwave, warming drawers, chilled storage, and a wide range of cabinetry. The cabin houses four enclosed lavatories — one each for the crew, VIP suite, first class, and business class.
Partial Refurbishment and Inspections
In July 2024, the BBJ underwent a partial interior upgrade, which included new carpeting across 90% of the cabin and a full refurbishment of the first-class seating area. C1-C2 inspections were also completed at that time, and the jet is currently undergoing B1-B2 inspections at AMAC Aerospace in preparation for the sale. All maintenance has been tracked using the Veyron management system.
Engine Status and Technical Details
The aircraft is powered by two CFM56-7BE engines with 3,821 hours and 1,881 cycles each. However, both engines are on an “on condition” status and are not enrolled in any engine maintenance programme, which means ongoing maintenance and performance coverage are not guaranteed. Its auxiliary power unit, a Honeywell 131-9B, has logged 5,982 hours and 3,622 cycles.
Despite its age, the BBJ remains compliant with all current aviation standards, including ADS-B, CPDLC, FANS-1/A, and RVSM. It also boasts a Ka-Band Wi-Fi system (Honeywell MCS-7000), a comprehensive entertainment suite, and advanced avionics including Rockwell Collins navigation and communication systems, Honeywell EGPWS, and L3 Comms flight recorders.
Long-Range Capabilities
The BBJ offers intercontinental range capabilities due to its eight auxiliary fuel tanks, boosting total fuel capacity to approximately 70,000 pounds. This includes:
Standard tanks: 45,000 lbs
Left & Right Wing Aux Tanks: 8,500 lbs each
Center Tank: 28,000 lbs
Forward Aux: 10,000 lbs
Aft Aux: 15,000 lbs
Exterior and Final Remarks
The aircraft retains its original 2005 exterior paintwork, featuring a white fuselage with green accents in line with Nigeria’s national colours. AMAC Aerospace, which facilitated the A330-200 acquisition, is also managing the sale of the BBJ.
The asking price for the aircraft has not been made public, and interested buyers are directed to contact AMAC Aerospace directly for pricing details.
This move reflects the Tinubu administration’s continued effort to cut costs, modernize the presidential fleet, and respond to growing public scrutiny over government expenditures amid the country’s current economic challenges.
