The Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the fire incident at Terminal 1 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, reassuring Nigerians that safety remains the agency’s highest priority.
Led by Board Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, the delegation visited the affected terminal to evaluate the extent of damage and review the emergency response efforts.
Ganduje described the incident as a matter of serious concern to the board, particularly given FAAN’s safety-driven mandate.
“When the fire outbreak occurred here at the international airport in Lagos, it was of great concern to us as board members because our core value in FAAN is safety,” he said. “It affected passengers, staff and critical infrastructure, but we are grateful that it was swiftly contained.”
According to FAAN, more than 150 firefighters were deployed to combat the blaze, working tirelessly until it was completely extinguished.
The rapid intervention prevented casualties, though some sensitive equipment and sections of the terminal were damaged.
The Board Chairman commended the Managing Director/Chief Executive, Olubunmi Kuku, and her management team for coordinating what he described as a prompt and professional emergency response.
As part of immediate follow-up actions, Kuku announced that FAAN has ordered a comprehensive structural audit of the affected terminal. Engineers will examine the building’s load-bearing components, electrical systems and other operational infrastructure to determine the full impact of the fire.
She emphasised that restoration efforts and any reopening timeline will strictly depend on technical and safety clearance, noting that passenger safety is non-negotiable.
While investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire, the board used the visit to reaffirm its oversight role and commitment to accountability.
Ganduje said seeing the damage firsthand was necessary to ensure transparency and reinforce public confidence.
Despite the setback, FAAN leadership maintained that ongoing modernisation projects at MMIA and across Nigeria’s airports remain on track.
The board also inspected sections of the international terminal undergoing upgrades, describing the quality of work as comparable to global standards.
Although the fire temporarily disrupted operations at one of Nigeria’s busiest aviation hubs, FAAN insists the situation is under control and that safety remains at the heart of all recovery and reform efforts.
