The Federal Government has unveiled plans to completely reconstruct the aging terminal at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, aiming to significantly boost its passenger capacity and modernize Nigeria’s primary aviation hub.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed the development while responding to public feedback on ongoing improvements at the airport. The new terminal, once completed, is expected to handle up to 20 million passengers annually—up from its current 3 million capacity.
Built in 1977, the existing terminal was originally designed to accommodate just 200,000 passengers per year. Over time, passenger traffic has vastly outgrown its design, contributing to infrastructure strain and operational inefficiencies.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Keyamo responded to remarks by UK-based management consultant Dr. Dipo Awojide, who had commended recent improvements at the airport, citing better cleanliness, security design, and baggage handling speed.
“Kudos @fkeyamo, Lagos airport has changed for good… My bag came out in 10 minutes. Exit to parking is better. This is the easiest it has been for me in Lagos in over 15 years of travel,” Awojide said.
While welcoming the praise, Keyamo acknowledged that more work remains, stating: “Our airports are still far from global standards. We are just making the best of what we met on the ground.”
He stressed that decades of underinvestment had left Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure overstretched and in urgent need of renewal. “The facilities have nearly collapsed from overuse,” the minister said.
Keyamo revealed that a comprehensive reconstruction of the MMIA terminal will soon commence, thanks to the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. He said the project would align with global aviation benchmarks, transforming the Lagos airport into a modern, efficient, and high-capacity travel hub.
Full details of the reconstruction initiative are expected to be made public in the coming weeks.
Industry stakeholders have welcomed the move as a significant step toward improving passenger experience and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in regional and international air travel.
