President Bola Tinubu on Saturday departed Abuja for a three-state visit covering Borno, Bauchi and Lagos, travelling aboard a 20-year-old Boeing 737 Business Jet acquired during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The aircraft, with registration number 5N-FGT, had earlier been listed for sale as part of the Federal Government’s cost-cutting measures but was later withdrawn after attracting poor buyer interest and offers considered far below its expected value.
Tinubu left the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at about 11:45am, officially commencing a working visit that also doubles as his end-of-year holiday tour.
Ahead of the President’s arrival, the Borno State Police Command announced the deployment of tactical teams, surveillance units and Explosive Ordnance Disposal operatives to ensure tight security across Maiduguri and other strategic locations in the state.
During his stop in Maiduguri, Tinubu is expected to inaugurate several projects executed by the Borno State Government under Governor Babagana Zulum, in partnership with the Federal Government. The President will also attend the wedding ceremony of Sadeeq Sheriff, son of former Borno State Governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff.
From Borno, Tinubu will proceed to Bauchi State to pay a condolence visit to the family of the late Islamic scholar and Tijjaniyya leader, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, who died on November 27 at the age of 101.
After the condolence visit, the President will travel to Lagos, where he is expected to spend the Christmas and New Year holidays. He will also serve as Guest of Honour at the popular Eyo Festival, scheduled for December 27 at the Tafawa Balewa Square.
This year’s festival will honour notable personalities, including Tinubu’s late mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, as well as former Lagos State Governors Alhaji Lateef Jakande and Chief Michael Otedola.
The use of the Obasanjo-era jet confirms its quiet return to active service after the Federal Government pulled it from the international sales platform operated by US aviation marketing firm JetHQ earlier this month. The aircraft was originally acquired in 2005 for $43 million and served successive administrations until August 2024, when the Tinubu government took delivery of a refurbished Airbus A330-200.
Despite undergoing partial refurbishment and major inspections in Switzerland in mid-2024, the jet reportedly attracted offers as low as $10 million, prompting the government to suspend plans to sell it.
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