Abdul Samad Rabiu, the chairman of BUA Group and one of Nigeria’s wealthiest industrialists, has officially unveiled his newly acquired Bombardier Global 8000 private jet. The aircraft is valued at approximately $81 million, which is equivalent to about N110 billion. This latest addition strengthens his growing portfolio of corporate aviation assets.
Unveiling Announcement
The billionaire made the announcement on his Instagram account, expressing gratitude after the delivery process was completed. According to reports from Billionaire’s Africa, the purchase agreement was signed in December 2025 with Bombardier executives in Dubai.
Fleet Expansion
With the arrival of the Global 8000, BUA Group now boasts one of the most advanced corporate jet collections on the African continent. The aircraft joins an existing fleet that includes a Challenger 350 and a Global 6500. This expansion underscores the conglomerate’s extensive international operations across multiple sectors.
Specifications of the Bombardier Global 8000
The Bombardier Global 8000 is currently recognized as the fastest purpose-built business jet in the world. It can achieve speeds of up to Mach 0.95, which is approximately 627 miles per hour. The jet is designed for ultra-long-range travel, with a range of about 8,000 nautical miles. This capability allows it to fly non-stop routes such as Lagos to New York or Dubai to Houston without needing to refuel.
The aircraft is powered by twin Rolls-Royce engines and is certified by major aviation authorities, including Transport Canada, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
Early Ownership
The delivery of this jet occurred shortly after Bombardier handed over the first Global 8000 to its fleet launch customer, NetJets, in March 2026 at its completion centre in Canada. Rabiu’s acquisition places him among a select group of global business figures who own this latest generation of ultra-long-range private jets.
Public Reactions
The unveiling has generated significant reactions on social media. User @Ike Henry commented, “There are levels to money, as you dey hustle make you buy Lexus 350 2016, another person dey hustle make e buy PJ.” Wisdom Eshiet noted, “He’s worth more than this, he deserves more for the employment opportunities he has created.” @Fatunmbi James Akinkunmi wrote, “Well, he deserves it, Samad is very hard working multibillionaire and a philanthropist i know him to be living a modest life so....be it.”
Related News
In other news, Forbes recently tagged Femi Otedola as Africa’s poorest billionaire. According to the 2026 Africa Billionaires List, the combined fortune of Africa’s 23 billionaires rose to about $126.7 billion, driven by a strong rally in regional equity markets.
