A temporary disruption hit flight operations at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Tuesday after an electrical spark triggered smoke inside one of its operational offices.
The incident, which occurred around 2:05 pm at the airport’s Terminal 3 facility, caused panic among passengers and staff before emergency responders swiftly intervened to contain the situation.
According to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the affected terminal had to be temporarily shut down to ensure safety.
In an official statement, FAAN confirmed that the electrical spark led to smoke emission within the terminal, prompting immediate action from safety personnel.
Flights Diverted to Minimise Disruption
Passengers scheduled to depart from Terminal 3 were quickly redirected to Terminal 2 as authorities worked to maintain operational continuity.
FAAN noted that all flights operating from the affected terminal were successfully diverted, reducing the overall impact on flight schedules.
Emergency teams, including the Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Services, responded promptly and brought the situation under control within a short time.
No Casualties Recorded
Despite the tense situation, authorities confirmed that no injuries or casualties were recorded.
Officials also assured the public that the incident was effectively managed and did not escalate into a major emergency.
Maintenance Ongoing Before Reopening
As of the time of filing this report, electrical maintenance works were ongoing at the affected terminal.
FAAN stated that all electrical systems are being thoroughly checked and restored to ensure optimal functionality before reopening the facility for normal operations.
Recurring Power Issues Raise Concerns
The latest incident adds to a growing list of power-related challenges at the Lagos airport.
In recent years, the airport has experienced multiple electrical disruptions, including a major blackout in 2024 that caused significant flight delays.
More recently, in February 2026, Terminal 1 also suffered a power outage shortly before a fire incident affected part of the facility.
These repeated occurrences have raised fresh concerns about the reliability of electrical infrastructure at one of Nigeria’s busiest aviation hubs.
