In a surprising turn of events, the United States-based aircraft marketing firm, JetHQ, has removed Nigeria's presidential Boeing 737-700 Business Jet from its international sales platform. This development throws the future of the aircraft into uncertainty months after the Federal Government announced its intention to sell the asset.
Jet Delisted After Months in Market
The aircraft, which had been publicly listed for sale since July 2025, could no longer be found on JetHQ's website by early December. The marketing company confirmed the delisting in an email correspondence with The PUNCH newspaper. Laurie Barringer, JetHQ's Manager of Market Research, stated, "We no longer have the listing on the Boeing," and directed all further inquiries to the Nigerian government.
This action follows a period of unclear status for the jet. Back in October 2025, reports indicated the plane remained unsold nearly four months after being listed. At that time, JetHQ had confirmed the aircraft was still available but refused to share proprietary details, such as interested buyers or offer values, citing client confidentiality.
Government Silence and Asset History
As of now, the Nigerian government has not provided an official explanation for the jet's removal from the market. A media aide to the National Security Adviser, Ismail Garba, had promised clarification but had not delivered a response days after the commitment was made.
The aircraft in question has a long history with the Nigerian state. It was originally purchased in 2005 for $43 million during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and has served as part of the Presidential Air Fleet ever since. Prior to its attempted sale, the Boeing 737 BBJ (tail number 5N-FGT) underwent partial refurbishment at the AMAC Aerospace facility in Basel, Switzerland, in July 2024. This work included first-class seat refurbishment, carpet replacement, and major inspections.
According to industry estimates from sites like aircraftcostcalculator.com, a pre-owned Boeing 737 BBJ similar to Nigeria's has an average market value of approximately $56 million, depending on its configuration and maintenance records.
Cost-Cutting Drive Faces Hurdles
The decision to sell the jet was announced by President Bola Tinubu's administration in July 2025 as a key component of a broader cost-cutting and fleet rationalization strategy. The move was aimed at addressing growing public scrutiny over government spending and the high maintenance costs associated with the Presidential Air Fleet.
The quiet delisting of the aircraft from the international market raises questions about the viability of the sale and the administration's asset disposal plans. It remains unclear whether the government has received an offer, decided against the sale, or is pursuing a different sales channel. The lack of official communication continues to fuel speculation about the fate of this multimillion-dollar state asset.
