The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), on Tuesday reassured Nigerians that flight operations remain stable following Monday’s fire incident at the old terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
Leading a delegation that included the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, and heads of aviation agencies, the Minister conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the affected areas and later inspected a temporary terminal facility prepared for immediate use.
Speaking to journalists, Keyamo confirmed that although the fire caused significant damage to equipment on upper floors including vital weather-monitoring systems belonging to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, there was no loss of life.
He revealed that some air traffic personnel trapped during the blaze were rescued with cranes, while four injured individuals are currently stable.
The Minister declined to speculate on the cause of the fire, stressing that investigations would determine whether electrical faults or other factors were responsible.
He cautioned against spreading unverified information and encouraged reliance on official briefings.
Crucially, he clarified that the affected terminal was an ageing 50-year-old facility already slated for demolition and complete reconstruction.
The Federal Government had begun implementing a phased relocation of airlines to Terminal Two and a purpose-built temporary terminal even before the fire occurred.
“This is Nigeria’s gateway,” he said, noting that the airport handles about 67 percent of international arrivals into the country. “There is no reason why it should not reflect the health and ambition of Nigeria.”
He admitted that the interim facility may not match the capacity of the old terminal and could result in temporary congestion, but insisted that the inconvenience would be short-lived.
The full reconstruction project is expected to last approximately 22 months. At completion, the Minister said, the airport will emerge as a modern hub capable of serving as a transit centre for regional and international passengers without requiring entry visas.
At the temporary terminal, designed to accommodate airlines formerly operating from the burnt section, Keyamo assured travellers that operations would continue without major disruption.
Keyamo attributed the swift construction of the temporary facility to the Federal Government’s infrastructure renewal agenda, pledging that the final outcome would make Nigerians proud.
For now, authorities say the focus remains on clearing debris, restoring damaged systems, and ensuring seamless travel while reconstruction begins in earnest.
