The marketing firm responsible for the sale of Nigeria’s Presidential Boeing 737-700 Business Jet has removed the aircraft from its listing, sparking renewed questions over the fate of the aircraft and the government’s plans for its disposal.
Previously listed on JetHQ’s international aircraft sales platform, the jet could no longer be found when [Your Publication] visited the site. In an email response to The PUNCH, Laurie Barringer, Manager of Market Research at JetHQ, confirmed the delisting, stating that the company no longer had the aircraft available for sale. Barringer 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,” Barringer wrote in the email.
The delisting comes after The PUNCH reported in October 2025 that the jet, which had been listed by the Federal Government in July 2025, remained unsold nearly four months later. Previous email exchanges with JetHQ staff had confirmed that the aircraft was still available for purchase at that time. However, Barringer later stated that no further details regarding the sale could be disclosed, citing proprietary information policies.
“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,” Barringer had said in an earlier exchange. “The only data that we can provide you is that the aircraft remains available for sale.”
The jet, which was part of Nigeria’s Presidential Air Fleet, was initially purchased in 2005 under then-President Olusegun Obasanjo for approximately $43 million. The aircraft underwent significant refurbishment at AMAC’s Basel facility in July 2024, including upgrades to first-class seats, new cabin carpets, and major inspections. These efforts were part of the maintenance program designed to enhance the jet’s appeal on the resale market.
Before the listing was taken down, the jet was valued at approximately $56 million, according to aircraftcostcalculator.com, with price fluctuations depending on the aircraft’s configuration and maintenance records.
The Nigerian government, under President Bola Tinubu, had announced plans to sell the jet in July 2025, citing a cost-cutting and fleet rationalisation strategy. The sale was part of broader efforts to reduce government spending amid public scrutiny of the cost of maintaining the Presidential Air Fleet. The Boeing 737-700 was part of a broader set of aircraft belonging to the fleet, which has faced criticism for its operational costs.
Following the delisting, further inquiries were directed to Ismail Garba, the media aide to the National Security Adviser. While Garba initially committed to responding to media queries regarding the aircraft’s status, no response had been provided by the time of publication.
The fate of the jet now remains uncertain, and with the listing removed, it is unclear whether the Nigerian government plans to pursue another sale attempt or if the aircraft will remain within the Presidential Air Fleet for the foreseeable future. The situation continues to unfold, with questions remaining over the government’s broader strategy for fleet management and cost reductions.
For now, the presidential aircraft’s future remains a topic of speculation, and the public eagerly awaits clarity on what comes next.