Nigeria Lists Presidential Jet for Sale in Switzerland
Nigeria's Federal Government has officially put its 20-year-old Boeing 737-700 Business Jet (BBJ), which previously served as the primary presidential aircraft, up for sale in Switzerland. This move comes on the heels of the recent acquisition of a refurbished Airbus A330-200 as the nation's new presidential jet.
The decision to divest the older aircraft, registered as 5N-FGT, stems from escalating public scrutiny over government expenditure, demands for greater transparency in managing the presidential air fleet, and growing concerns over the aging jet's soaring maintenance costs and operational issues. A mechanical malfunction during a presidential trip to Saudi Arabia in April 2024 further underscored its unreliability.
Originally purchased in 2005 during former President Olusegun Obasanjo's administration for an estimated $43 million, the Boeing BBJ has logged approximately 3,821 flight hours and 1,881 landings. It boasts a luxurious five-zone configuration, accommodating 33 passengers and 8 crew members, complete with a private bedroom, VIP office, conference area, and both first-class and business-class seating. Equipped with modern avionics, including Ka-band Wi-Fi, the aircraft also underwent a partial interior refurbishment in July 2024.
The sale is being managed by AMAC Aerospace in Basel, Switzerland, with the listing publicly accessible on global aircraft sales platforms like Controller.com. While the exact asking price remains undisclosed, similar used Boeing Business Jets typically range from $25 million to $41 million.
The new presidential aircraft, a refurbished Airbus A330-200 (registered as 5N-FGA), was reportedly acquired for approximately $100 million (over N150 billion) from a repossessed German bank asset. Its acquisition in mid-2024 sparked considerable public debate given Nigeria's prevailing economic challenges. This new Airbus is anticipated to offer greater space, state-of-the-art avionics, a customized interior, and advanced communication systems, promising significant savings in future maintenance and fuel costs.
The sale of the Boeing BBJ is part of a broader initiative to streamline the presidential air fleet, which remains one of Africa's largest with about 10 aircraft. Reports suggest that other aging or unserviceable aircraft, including a Gulfstream and another Falcon 7x, may also be slated for sale.
