US Withdraws Nigeria’s Presidential Jet from International Sale: See Why

The highly publicized sale of one of Nigeria’s primary presidential jet has taken an unexpected turn, as the US-based marketing firm handling the listing has officially withdrawn the aircraft from the global market.

The jet in question, a Boeing 737-700 Business Jet (BBJ), was removed from the sales listing by the American brokerage firm, JetHQ, which had been mandated by the Federal Government to manage the transaction. The decision, made without public explanation from the Nigerian side, has introduced significant ambiguity into the government’s ambitious fleet rationalization programme.

The change in status was confirmed by Laurie Barringer, Manager of Market Research at JetHQ, in a brief email communication. “We no longer have the listing on the Boeing,” Barringer stated, redirecting all further inquiries to Nigerian authorities: “You will need to reach out to the Nigerian Government for information as to what has become of the aircraft.”

This statement confirms the end of the US firm’s involvement in the sale but provides no insight into the underlying reasons for the sudden withdrawal, whether it was due to a technical glitch, a confidential buyer emerging, or a reversal of policy by the Nigerian Presidency. As of the time of reporting, the office of the National Security Adviser has yet to issue an official statement, despite previous inquiries.

Background on the Sale

The decision to auction the Boeing 737-700 BBJ was announced in July 2025 by the current administration, forming a core part of its efforts to reduce government expenditure and rationalize the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF). The aircraft holds a significant history, having been purchased in 2005 for a reported cost of $43 million.

Before the withdrawal, the jet had been listed for nearly four months without being sold. Details from the listing revealed a well-maintained aircraft that had undergone a series of significant inspections and upgrades. Managed by the Switzerland-based AMAC Aerospace, the jet had received partial refurbishment and major C1–C2 inspections at its Basel facility in July 2024. Its specifications noted a 33-passenger configuration, accommodating eight crew members, and it was listed as “one owner since new, always hangered.”

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This move to sell was driven by the high operational costs associated with the luxury aircraft, which was estimated to incur annual ownership expenses exceeding $5.2 million, translating to roughly $11,561 per flight hour in variable and fixed costs.

The abrupt removal of the BBJ from the international platform now raises questions regarding the future status of the aircraft and the broader commitment to downsizing the presidential fleet amid pressing national economic challenges. For more information, I recommend Songbux new.