Nigeria’s presidential Boeing 737-700 Business Jet has been quietly removed from the sales website of JetHQ, the international marketing firm that was previously handling its listing for potential buyers around the world.
The aircraft, which had been publicly displayed on the company’s platform for several months, could no longer be found when checked by news correspondents, raising questions about its current status and the reasons behind its removal.
In an email correspondence with The PUNCH, JetHQ’s Manager of Market Research, Laurie Barringer, confirmed that the presidential jet had indeed been withdrawn from the firm’s listings. She further advised that any additional information regarding the aircraft’s current situation should be obtained directly from the Federal Government of Nigeria.
JetHQ Confirms Delisting
In her email, Barringer stated: “Thank you for your email. We no longer have the listing on the Boeing. You will need to reach out to the Nigerian Government for information as to what has become of the aircraft. I appreciate your time — Laurie Barringer, Manager of Market Research, JetHQ.”
Efforts to get clarification from the media aide to the National Security Adviser, Ismail Garba, were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to follow-up inquiries, despite earlier promising to provide updates regarding the jet’s sale and future plans.
Jet Was Previously Listed For Months
The removal of the listing comes months after reports that the aircraft, which the Federal Government officially listed for sale in July 2025, had remained unsold nearly four months after appearing on the international sales platform. The lack of buyers for such a high-profile aircraft had attracted public attention and media scrutiny over the prolonged listing period.
Earlier email exchanges showed that JetHQ had initially confirmed the aircraft’s availability. Market Research Assistant, Marinell Nuevo, stated at the time that the jet “remains available” but redirected all further inquiries to Barringer for official confirmation and additional details.
Barringer later clarified that the firm could only confirm the availability of the aircraft and that any other details regarding pricing, negotiation, or potential buyers were “proprietary” information that could not be shared publicly.
Refurbishment And Market Value
Before the listing was removed from the website, records indicated that the presidential jet had undergone partial refurbishment at AMAC’s Basel facility in July 2024. The refurbishment work reportedly included upgrades to the first-class seating, replacement of cabin carpets, and major C1–C2 inspections to ensure the aircraft met international safety and operational standards.
Industry data from aircraftcostcalculator.com estimates the average value of a pre-owned Boeing 737 BBJ at approximately $56 million. The presidential jet in question was originally purchased in 2005 for $43 million during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, making it a high-value asset within Nigeria’s Presidential Air Fleet.
Government’s Cost-Cutting Plan
The Tinubu administration had initially announced the decision to sell the presidential jet in July 2025 as part of a broader strategy to reduce government expenditure and streamline the operations of the Presidential Air Fleet amid growing public scrutiny over official spending. The sale was framed as an effort to promote fiscal responsibility and redirect resources to other national priorities.
Despite the removal from JetHQ’s platform, questions remain about the jet’s current status, potential buyers, and whether the Federal Government plans to relist the aircraft or pursue alternative methods for its sale in the near future.