Nigeria Lists Former Presidential Jet for Sale in Switzerland Amid Public Pressure Over Government Spending
The Nigerian Federal Government has officially listed its aging Boeing Business Jet (BBJ), once used for presidential travel, for sale in Switzerland, marking a new phase in its controversial aircraft fleet restructuring. This move follows the recent acquisition of a new Airbus A330-200, now serving as the country’s official presidential jet.
The 20-year-old Boeing 737-700 BBJ, originally commissioned during the Olusegun Obasanjo administration in 2005, is currently being inspected by AMAC Aerospace in Basel and is featured on Controller, a global platform for aircraft sales. The listing signifies the federal government’s intention to retire the aging aircraft amid rising maintenance costs and growing public criticism.
Why Sell the Boeing Now?
The decision to offload the BBJ comes against the backdrop of mounting calls for transparency and cost-efficiency in managing Nigeria’s presidential air fleet. According to Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the aircraft had become “increasingly expensive to maintain” and recently experienced a mid-flight malfunction during a trip to Saudi Arabia.
“The ageing BBJ had become unreliable, and its upkeep no longer justified its role in the fleet,” Onanuga explained.
The replacement, a state-of-the-art Airbus A330-200, was delivered in July 2024 and now performs the duties of the official presidential aircraft.
BBJ Specs and Interior Upgrades
Despite being two decades old, the Boeing BBJ offers a luxurious experience. It boasts:
-
A five-zone layout
-
Seating for 33 passengers and 8 crew
-
A private bedroom with an ensuite shower
-
A VIP office and conference area
-
Ka-band Wi-Fi, ADS-B Out, and FANS 1/A avionics
In July 2024, the jet underwent partial refurbishment, including first-class seat reupholstering and new carpeting. However, it remains uncovered by any engine maintenance program, with both CFM56-7BE engines listed as “on condition,” meaning they operate without guaranteed performance support.
No Asking Price Yet—But Questions Remain
The sale price has not been made public, but civil society organisations and economists continue to question the cost-to-benefit ratio of the Airbus purchase — especially amid economic hardship, inflation, and subsidy cuts.
Reports last year alleged that over ₦150 billion (approx. $100 million USD) was earmarked for the new Airbus jet, sparking backlash from advocacy groups who viewed the expense as tone-deaf given Nigeria’s struggling economy.
Public Reaction and What’s Next
Many Nigerians see the BBJ sale as a symbolic move, possibly designed to soften criticism of the new aircraft acquisition. However, critics argue the timing and opacity around both the sale and purchase still leave key accountability questions unanswered.
For now, the jet remains available on the market with no official buyer announced.
Comments
This post currently has no comments.