Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, personally inspected the extensive damage caused by a massive fire that ravaged Terminal 1 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos the previous day.
The minister, who arrived at the scene early Tuesday morning accompanied by senior officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), airport security personnel, and emergency response coordinators, confirmed that the inferno had been fully contained overnight with no fatalities recorded.
Speaking to journalists at the charred entrance of the affected terminal, Keyamo stated: “The fire was successfully brought under control by our firefighting teams and supporting agencies. I am happy to report that no lives were lost in this unfortunate incident. The injured persons who were rushed to hospital are responding well to treatment at a medical facility here in Lagos.”
The blaze erupted around 3:00 p.m. on Monday, February 23, 2026, in the old international wing of Terminal 1, rapidly spreading through sections of the aging structure. Thick black smoke billowed across the airport vicinity for several hours, visible from kilometers away. Firefighters from FAAN, the Lagos State Fire Service, and other federal agencies battled the flames until approximately 7:00 p.m., with occasional flare-ups continuing into the night.
At least six individuals—airport staff, passengers, and ground handlers—were hospitalized for smoke inhalation, minor burns, and related injuries. The minister noted that medical teams remained on site and that follow-up care was being provided.
Keyamo revealed that the affected terminal, which had already been earmarked for comprehensive refurbishment under the ongoing airport concession and modernization programme, would now be completely demolished. “Given the scale of structural damage, it is no longer viable to attempt repairs,” he explained. “Demolition will commence shortly to pave the way for a modern replacement facility in line with our long-term vision for MMIA.”
To minimize disruption to domestic and regional operations, the minister announced that construction of a temporary terminal is at an advanced stage. “We are fast-tracking the completion of a modular temporary terminal that will accommodate the few airlines still operating from this facility,” he said. “This interim solution will ensure continuity of services while permanent reconstruction proceeds.”
Monday’s fire forced widespread flight diversions, cancellations, and delays at Nigeria’s busiest airport. Domestic carriers relocated operations to the newer Terminal 2 where possible, while international flights were rerouted to alternative gateways including Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Accra. Passengers reported hours-long waits, missed connections, and significant inconvenience amid the chaos.
The incident has reignited debate over the state of infrastructure at Nigeria’s major airports, particularly the aging Terminal 1, which has long been criticized for outdated facilities, poor maintenance, and vulnerability to fire hazards. Aviation stakeholders and passenger advocacy groups have called for accelerated upgrades and stricter safety enforcement.
Investigations into the cause of the fire—whether electrical fault, equipment malfunction, or other factors—are ongoing, with preliminary reports expected within days. The minister assured that a full forensic review would be conducted and lessons incorporated into future safety protocols.
Keyamo thanked emergency responders, airport staff, and affected passengers for their patience, while reiterating the administration’s commitment to modernizing Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure. “This setback is painful, but it reinforces why we must move faster on our rehabilitation and expansion plans,” he said. “We will emerge stronger and safer.”
As clean-up and assessment continue, airlines have been advised to check updated schedules, and passengers are urged to confirm flight status directly with carriers. Terminal 2 remains fully operational for both domestic and limited international services.
