BREAKING: Tinubu Puts Presidential Jet Up For Sale In Switzerland
Following the replacement with a newly acquired Airbus A330 for presidential use, President Bola Tinubu’s administration has put up Nigeria’s ageing Boeing 737-700 Business Jet (BBJ) for sale in Switzerland.
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
