Eric Patrick
President Bola Tinubu’s administration has officially listed Nigeria’s Boeing 737-700 Business Jet (BBJ) for sale in Switzerland, marking the end of its nearly two-decade service as the country’s primary presidential aircraft.
The ageing jet, acquired in 2005 under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, is currently undergoing inspection and sale preparations at AMAC Aerospace in Basel, Switzerland.
The aviation firm also handled the acquisition of the new presidential aircraft—a refurbished Airbus ACJ330-200—delivered in July 2024.
The listing appeared on Controller, a well-known platform for aircraft sales. It indicates that the jet has logged fewer than 4,000 flight hours and 1,881 landings since its delivery.
Despite its age, the aircraft remains in good condition, having been consistently hangared and maintained on a professional tracking system.
The BBJ features a five-zone interior layout built for 33 passengers and eight crew members, including a private bedroom with ensuite shower, a VIP office, a conference/dining area, and both first- and business-class cabins. It is also equipped with Ka-band internet and modern avionics such as ADS-B Out, CPDLC, and FANS 1/A compliance.
Its retirement follows the acquisition of the Airbus ACJ330-200—now registered as 5N-FGA—which serves as the new presidential jet. The Airbus boasts a full bedroom suite, office facilities, and a combination of first-class and economy seating.
The move to replace the BBJ stirred controversy after multiple online news outlets revealed that the government planned to spend over ₦150 billion (approximately $100 million at an exchange rate of ₦1,507/$1) on the Airbus purchase.
Defending the decision, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said the Boeing had become too costly to maintain and was raising safety concerns.
“The aircraft had suffered a malfunction during a trip to Saudi Arabia,” he said, adding that its reliability had been questioned by lawmakers due to frequent repairs and escalating costs.
In July 2024, the BBJ underwent partial refurbishment, which included upgraded first-class seating, fresh carpeting, and completion of C1-C2 inspections. Nonetheless, the presidency determined that selling the jet was the most viable option.
While the aircraft remains structurally sound, it is not enrolled in any engine maintenance program. Both of its CFM56-7BE engines are described as “on condition,” meaning they are maintained based on performance rather than a guaranteed service plan.
As of now, neither AMAC Aerospace nor the Nigerian government has disclosed the jet’s 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
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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