US company withdraws Nigeria’s presidential jet from sale

The marketing firm handling the sale of Nigeria’s presidential Boeing 737-700 Business Jet has withdrawn the aircraft’s listing.

The jet, previously listed on the company’s website, could no longer be found when our correspondent visited.

In an email response to The PUNCH, Manager of Market Research at JetHQ, Laurie Barringer, confirmed that the company no longer has the aircraft listed for sale and directed further inquiries to the Nigerian government.

“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,” the email read.

The media aide to the National Security Adviser, Ismail Garba, promised to respond but had yet to do so days after making the commitment.

The development comes after The PUNCH reported in October 2025 that the jet, listed by the Federal Government in July 2025, remained unsold nearly four months after it was uploaded on the international aircraft sales platform.

At the time, email exchanges between our correspondent and JetHQ indicated that the aircraft was still available.

JetHQ’s Market Research Assistant, Marinell Nuevo, confirmed that the jet “remains available” but referred further inquiries to Barringer.

Barringer later stated that the firm would not disclose details beyond availability, describing such information as proprietary.

“We do not provide this kind of information to anyone but the direct owner of the aircraft. This is considered proprietary information. I hope you can understand.

“The only data that we can provide you is that the aircraft remains available for sale,” Barringer said.

Before its delisting, records showed the jet underwent partial refurbishment and inspections at AMAC’s Basel facility in July 2024, including first-class seat refurbishment, cabin carpet replacement, and major C1–C2 inspections.

According to aircraftcostcalculator.com, a pre-owned Boeing 737 BBJ carries an average market value of about $56m, depending on configuration and maintenance records.

The aircraft was purchased in 2005 for $43m under then-President Olusegun Obasanjo and has remained part of the Presidential Air Fleet.

In July 2025, the Tinubu administration announced plans to sell the jet as part of a cost-cutting and fleet rationalisation strategy amid growing public scrutiny of government spending.(Punch)