In a bold move to streamline government spending and modernize the Presidential Air Fleet, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has authorized the sale of a 20-year-old Boeing 737-700 (BBJ) presidential jet. The aircraft, which has served Nigeria since 2005, was recently flown to Basel, Switzerland, where it is now officially listed for sale.
The decision comes as part of a broader initiative to reduce the high cost of maintaining aging aircraft in the fleet. The BBJ, registered as 5N-FGT, features a VIP-configured interior with 41 seats, including nine first-class and 18 business-class accommodations, a stateroom with a shower, and a luxury lounge. Despite undergoing extensive maintenance in July 2024, the aircraft was deemed financially burdensome to retain.
A senior official from the Presidential Air Fleet confirmed that the sale aligns with recommendations from the House of Representatives Committee on National Security and Intelligence. The committee had urged the government aircraft with more cost-efficient alternatives. In line with this, the government has already acquired a new Airbus ACJ330-200 to serve as the primary presidential aircraft.
The sale is being managed by JetHQ, a U.S.-based aviation marketing firm, under an exclusive agreement with the Nigerian government. Proceeds from the sale are expected to support the procurement of newer, more efficient aircraft and reduce the overall size of the presidential fleet, which currently includes six airplanes and four helicopters.
This move underscores President Tinubu’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency in governance, especially at a time when economic reforms and public accountability are at the forefront of national discourse.