Tinubu Government Puts Presidential Boeing Jet Up for Sale in Switzerland Amid Controversy Over Airbus Purchase

In a move sparking fresh debate over government spending, the Tinubu administration has listed Nigeria’s presidential Boeing 737‑700 Business Jet (BBJ) for sale in Basel, Switzerland. This comes after the federal government took delivery of a refurbished Airbus A330-200 to replace the aging jet.

The 2005 Boeing BBJ, originally acquired during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s tenure, is currently being inspected and prepared for sale at AMAC Aerospace in Basel—the same firm that managed the acquisition of the new Airbus aircraft. According to aircraft listing platform Controller, the jet has logged around 4,000 flight hours and 1,881 landings over its two decades of use.

The BBJ features a five-zone cabin layout that accommodates 33 passengers and eight crew members. It includes a VIP bedroom suite, office, dining and conference area, and both first- and business-class seating. The aircraft is also equipped with modern avionics, Ka‑band Wi‑Fi, ADS‑B Out, CPDLC, and FANS 1/A systems—meeting today’s international safety and navigation standards.

Despite undergoing recent upgrades—such as new first-class seating, fresh carpeting, and routine C1‑C2 inspections—the government has cited rising maintenance costs and safety concerns as the reasons for retiring the aircraft. One incident involved a reported malfunction during a presidential trip to Saudi Arabia.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga defended the decision, saying, “The Boeing has become increasingly expensive to maintain and posed a potential safety risk.” However, critics have blasted the move as wasteful, especially amid economic hardship, rising inflation, and growing calls for austerity.

The new Airbus A330‑200—registration 5N‑FGA—was delivered in July 2024. Once repossessed and refurbished, it now features a full presidential suite, private office, and mixed-class seating. Unconfirmed reports say the jet cost the Nigerian government N150 billion (about $100 million), raising public concern over misplaced priorities.

While the BBJ remains operational and well-maintained, its CFM56‑7BE engines are “on condition,” meaning they are not covered under any engine maintenance program. The listing price for the Boeing jet has not been publicly disclosed.

Civil society groups and opposition figures have condemned the sale and new purchase, accusing the Tinubu administration of tone-deaf extravagance while millions of Nigerians continue to grapple with poverty, inflation, and unemployment.