The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Tuesday inspected the fire-affected sections of Murtala Muhammed International Airport Terminal 1 in Lagos, confirming that operations will be relocated ahead of the building’s demolition.

Keyamo stated that Fingers D and E of the old terminal would be moved to temporary facilities to pave the way for reconstruction works. He clarified that the incident affected the old terminal already slated for demolition, not the new terminal.

Fire Damage And Emergency Response

The fire impacted airline counters, offices, and equipment belonging to the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).

According to the minister, several air traffic controllers were trapped on upper floors and had to be rescued using cranes. He commended first responders, including the Lagos State Fire Service and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria personnel, for preventing casualties and containing further damage.

“We thank God there was no loss of life,” Keyamo said, describing that as the foremost relief in the aftermath of the incident.

Demolition Plans Already Underway

The minister disclosed that plans to decommission and demolish the ageing terminal had been in motion prior to the fire outbreak. He explained that evacuation arrangements were already ongoing, with airlines and agencies preparing to move into temporary structures provided by the Chinese construction firm handling the new terminal project.

He noted that while the building was due to be pulled down, critical equipment—particularly meteorological and air navigation systems—suffered significant damage.

“It is still unsafe to access certain upper floors,” he said, adding that the fire would accelerate the transition process.

Flight Operations To Continue

Keyamo assured airlines and the international community that flight operations would not face prolonged disruption. Temporary air traffic control facilities have been deployed, with mobile control towers expected to restore full operational capacity.

He emphasised that the Lagos airport handles approximately 67 per cent of Nigeria’s international passenger traffic, underscoring its strategic importance as the country’s primary aviation gateway.

Vision For A Regional Hub

The minister reiterated the Federal Government’s long-term objective of transforming MMIA into a competitive regional transit hub capable of challenging other West African and African aviation centres.

He said the redesign would enable seamless passenger transit without requiring entry visas, positioning Nigeria as a key aviation connector on the continent.

Keyamo concluded that the reconstruction aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s broader infrastructure renewal agenda, aimed at modernising critical national assets and enhancing Nigeria’s global competitiveness in aviation.

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The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has confirmed the rescue of 14 individuals initially trapped during a fire outbreak at the old terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

Providing an MMIA fire FAAN update, the authority disclosed that all affected persons were evacuated safely, while the terminal building will undergo a comprehensive structural integrity assessment.

Rescue Operation and Casualties

According to FAAN, six casualties — three males and three females — are currently in stable condition. One affected individual was transferred to the airport’s hospital for further medical evaluation.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, which collaborated with FAAN’s Fire Service, stated that 12 air traffic control personnel were rescued alive without injuries.

Controller-General Margaret Adeseye confirmed that there was no loss of life in the incident.

Incident Timeline

Eyewitness accounts indicated that smoke began rising from the terminal around 3:20 pm, prompting panic and evacuation efforts in the vicinity.

Firefighters from FAAN and the Lagos State Fire Service battled the blaze before bringing it under control.

Authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of the fire, but investigations are currently underway.

Flight Diversions

The Managing Director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, confirmed that three international flights were diverted due to the incident.

Affected carriers included British Airways, Lufthansa and Emirates.

Kuku stated that flight operations were expected to resume shortly after safety assessments were completed.

Structural Integrity Assessment

FAAN disclosed that civil and structural engineers will conduct detailed evaluations to determine the integrity of the affected terminal building.

Kuku explained that professional assessments would guide the next steps, including any required repairs or safety upgrades.

“We have civil and structural engineers whose role is to ensure that once the fire has been contained, we test the integrity of the structure to determine what the next steps are,” she said.

Aviation Safety Measures

The MMIA fire FAAN update underscores the authority’s commitment to aviation safety and rapid emergency response.

While operations experienced temporary disruption, officials emphasised that safety protocols were promptly activated, enabling swift evacuation and containment.

Aviation stakeholders will now monitor the outcome of the structural review and ongoing investigations as authorities work to restore full operational stability at Nigeria’s busiest international gateway.

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