President Bola Tinubu’s administration has put up Nigeria’s ageing Boeing 737-700 Business Jet (BBJ) for sale in Switzerland, following its replacement with a newly acquired Airbus A330 for presidential use.

The decision comes amid growing scrutiny over government spending and calls for transparency in the management of Nigeria’s presidential air fleet.

According to Controller, a website specialising in aircraft listings, the Boeing jet, purchased in 2005 during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, is currently undergoing inspections and preparation for sale at AMAC Aerospace in Basel, Switzerland. This private aviation firm also facilitated the acquisition of the new Airbus.

The 737 aircraft, which has flown just under 4,000 hours and completed 1,881 landings since it was delivered brand new to Nigeria nearly two decades ago, has long served as the primary jet for Nigerian presidents.

Its cabin features a five-zone layout designed for 33 passengers and eight crew members, including a private bedroom with an ensuite shower, a VIP office, a conference and dining area, and separate first-class and business-class sections.

It also boasts Ka-band internet connectivity and advanced avionics systems such as ADS-B Out, CPDLC, and FANS 1/A, aligning it with international communication and safety standards.

In July 2024, the Tinubu administration took delivery of an Airbus ACJ330-200, registered as 5N-FGA, which now serves as the new presidential jet.

The luxury aircraft, which was originally repossessed before being refurbished, includes a full bedroom suite, office space, and a mix of first-class and economy seating in the rear.

The decision to acquire the Airbus sparked controversy, particularly after SaharaReporters revealed that the government planned to spend over ₦150 billion on the purchase — equivalent to around $100 million at the time, based on an exchange rate of ₦1,507 per US dollar.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga defended the move, stating that the ageing Boeing had become increasingly expensive to maintain and posed a potential safety risk.

The aircraft had reportedly suffered a malfunction during a trip to Saudi Arabia, prompting concerns in parliament about its reliability and the rising cost of repairs.

Despite the partial refurbishment of the BBJ in July 2024, which included upgraded first-class seating, new carpeting, and completion of C1-C2 inspections, the presidency opted to retire the jet and list it for sale.

The government claims that the aircraft remains in good condition, having always been hangared and maintained on a professional tracking system.

However, it is not enrolled in any engine maintenance program, and both of its CFM56-7BE engines remain “on condition” — meaning they are not subject to guaranteed performance coverage.

Neither AMAC Aerospace nor the Nigerian government has disclosed an asking price.

Details of the Boeing aircraft

Year

2005

Manufacturer

BOEING

Model

BBJ

Serial Number

34260

Condition

Used

Description

HIGHLIGHTS

One Owner Since New | Always Hangared

33 Passenger Configuration w/ 8 Crew (41 Seats in Total – 5 Zone Cabin Seating Layout)

FANS-1/A | CPDLC | ADS-B Out

Ka-Band Wi-Fi (MCS 7000)

Delivered with A, B1-B2 and C1-C2 Inspections Completed

Partial Interior Refurbishment July 2024

8 Auxiliary Fuel Tanks – Capacity of 25,000 lbs

Total Fuel Capacity of 70,000 lbs

Airframe

Total Time

3,821

Total Landings

1,881

Airframe Notes

Maintenance Tracking – Veyron

Engine Program

Engine Maintenance Program

None

Engine 1

Engine 1 Serial Number

893451

Engine 1 Time

3,821 SNEW

Engine 1 Cycles

1,881

Engine 1 On Condition

Yes

Engine 1 Notes

CFM56-7BE Engine

Engine 2

Engine 2 Serial Number

892452

Engine 2 Time

3,821 SNEW

Engine 2 Cycles

1,881

Engine 2 On Condition

Yes

Engine 2 Notes

CFM56-7BE Engine

Auxiliary Power Unit

APU

Yes

APU Notes

Honeywell 131-9B

Serial Number P-6914

Total Hours* 5,982

Total Cycles* 3,622

Avionics

Avionics/Radios

VHF Communication: 3 Gables Engineering Inc 822-1047-003

VHF Navigation: 2 Rockwell Collins 822-0297-001

HF Transceiver: 2 Rockwell Collins 822-0330-001

DFDR: 1 L3 Comms 2100-4043-00

CVR: 1 L3 Comms 2100-1020-00

DME: 2 Rockwell Collins 822-0329-001

ATC Transponder: 2 Rockwell Collins 822-1338-003

EGPWS: 1 Honeywell 9651690-055

Radio Altimeter: 2 Rockwell Collins 822-0334-002

ADC/ADM: 3 Thales Avionics SA C17001BA01

ADIRU: 2 Honeywell HG2050AC07

Weather Radar Transceiver: 1 Rockwell Collins 822-170-00

TCAS Computer: 1 Rockwell Collins 822-1293-033

ELT: 1 Artex 435-5004

ELT/ Nav Interface Unit: 1 Artex 453-6501

FCC: 2 Rockwell Collins 822-1604-101

HGS Computer: 1 Flight Dynamics 1500-2460-003

FMS: 2 Smith Industries 176200-01-01

ADF: 2 Rockwell Collins 822-0299-001

MMR(GLU): 2 Rockwell Collins 822-1152-002

CPC: 2 Nord-Micro 7121-19971-0lAC

IFSAU: 1 BAESystems 65-52820-2

FSEU: 1 BAE Systems 285A1200-1

GCU: 3 Hamilton Sundstrand 762185H

TRU: 3 Oeco LLC 080-20705-01

CDS DEU: 2 Honeywell 4081600-930

DFDAU: 1 Teledyne Controls 2233000-815-1

EVM: 1 Vibro-Meter 241-280-056-014

SELCAL Decoder: 1 Avtech 1200008-000

COMPLIANCE & NAVIGATION

ADS-B: Yes

CPDLC: Yes

FANS 1/A: Yes

RVSM: Yes

Additional Equipment

Additional Equipment

Securaplane

HUD

Fuel Capacity

Standard: 45,000 lb

• LS Wing: 8,500 lb

• RS Wing: 8,500 lb

• Center: 28,000 lb

Auxiliary: 25,000 lb

• Fwd Aux: 10,000 lb

• Aft Aux: 15,000 lb

Total: 70,000 lb

Exterior

Year Painted

2005

Exterior Notes

Base Paint:

White

Accent Colors:

Green

Condition:

Original 2005

Interior

Year Interior

2024

Interior Notes

Configuration / PAX:

Thirty-Three (33) Passengers + Eight (8) Crew = Forty-One (41)

5 Zone Seating:

Zone 1: Crew Rest Area

Two (2) Crew Rest Seats & Two (2) Cabin Attendant Seats

Zone 2: VIP Stateroom

Bed w/ Two (2) Place Divan & Private Lavatory

Zone 3: VIP Lounge

Four (4) Seat Conference Room

Zone 4: First Class Seating Cabin

Nine (9) Forward Facing Seats

Zone 5: Business Class Seating Cabin

Eighteen (18) Forward Facing Seats

Galleys:

Forward & Aft Full-Service Galleys w/ Steam Oven, Microwave,

Chilled Compartments, Storage & Warming Drawer

Lavatories:

Forward Crew Enclosed Private Lavatory

VIP Stateroom Private Enclosed Lavatory & Shower

Zone 4 1st Class Cabin Enclosed Private Lavatory

Zone 5 Business Cabin Enclosed Private Lavatory

Connectivity:

Ka-Band Wi-Fi Internet (Honeywell MCS-7000)

AEROCOM 3000 CTU

Airshow

Audio Visual System:

One (1) 32” Master Bedroom Monitor

One (1) 32” VIP Lounge Monitor

One (1) 32” First Class Cabin Monitor

Two (2) 21” Business Class Monitors

Condition:

Partial Refurbishment July 2024

Inspection Status

Inspection Status

Inspection In Progress (AMAC – Basel, Switzerland)

B1-B2 Inspections In Progress (AMAC – Basel, Switzerland)

C1-C2 Inspections Completed July 2024 (AMAC – Basel, Switzerland)

Carpet Replacement (Through 90% of the Cabin) Completed July 2024 (AMAC – Basel, Switzerland)

First Class Seats Full Refurbishment Completed July 2024 (AMAC – Basel, Switzerland)

* Estimated Return to Service May 2025