Presidential Boeing 737 Still Unsold Months After Listing, Raising Questions On Transparency

According to Ireporter Online, nearly four months after being listed for sale, Nigeria’s Presidential Boeing 737-700 Business Jet remains unsold, raising questions about the slow progress of the transaction.

The confirmation came through email correspondence between a U.S.-based aircraft brokerage firm, JetHQ, and reporters. JetHQ’s Market Research Assistant, Marinell Nuevo, disclosed that the aircraft “remains available,” while the firm’s Market Research Manager, Laurie Barringer, declined to reveal further details, citing confidentiality. Barringer emphasized that only the aircraft’s direct owner could access proprietary information, adding that JetHQ could merely confirm the jet’s availability.

Despite follow-up inquiries demanding accountability for the sale of a jet purchased and maintained with taxpayers’ funds, no official response had been received as of press time.

The aircraft is currently under the management of AMAC Aerospace, a Swiss aviation firm responsible for its maintenance and sale. Details from the listing indicate that the Boeing 737-700 BBJ underwent extensive refurbishments in July 2024 at AMAC’s Basel facility, including a complete overhaul of first-class seats, replacement of cabin carpets, and major C1–C2 inspections.

The business jet, described as “one owner since new, always hangared,” accommodates 33 passengers and eight crew members, totaling 41 seats. Aircraft valuation platform Aircraft Cost Calculator estimates the average price of a pre-owned Boeing 737 BBJ at approximately $56 million, depending on maintenance history and onboard configurations.

Acquired in 2005 during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration at a cost of $43 million, the aircraft has served within Nigeria’s Presidential Air Fleet for two decades. However, in July 2025, President Bola Tinubu’s administration placed the jet on the market as part of an austerity-driven initiative to reduce government spending and rationalize the size of the presidential fleet.