By Paul Joseph
A fire outbreak has gutted the old terminal building at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, which is currently undergoing extensive renovation works valued in the billions of naira, officials and witnesses confirmed early today.
The blaze, which erupted at the ageing section of the nation’s busiest aviation hub, sent plumes of smoke visible from major access roads leading to the airport. As of this report, exact information on the cause and scale of the incident remains unclear, with investigations still underway.
Henry Agbebire, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), confirmed the fire and said emergency response teams are on the ground managing the situation.
“We are aware of the fire and are currently addressing it. A statement will be issued shortly,” Agbebire told reporters.
He added that the authority’s firefighting and emergency units were activated promptly to contain the fire and prevent its spread to other parts of the airport complex.
“Our firefighting team is actively working to control the situation,” he said.
In a statement of reassurance to the public, Agbebire said there have been no reported injuries or fatalities connected to the incident, a relief amid concerns given the airport’s high traffic volume.
“No one has been hurt. More updates will follow as we assess the situation,” he noted.
Airport users and passengers have been urged to remain calm as the response teams work to extinguish the flames and evaluate the extent of structural damage.
At this stage, FAAN has not announced any disruptions to flight schedules. Since the terminal affected was part of ongoing renovation efforts rather than the primary departure and arrival halls, initial indications suggest that flight operations at the airport are continuing unaffected.
However, authorities did not rule out possible adjustments depending on the outcome of damage assessment and safety evaluations.
The gutted building forms part of the older infrastructure of MMIA, which has been undergoing a major facelift designed to enhance passenger comfort, expand capacity and upgrade facilities to modern aviation standards.
The renovation project, part of the federal government’s wider plan to improve airport infrastructure across Nigeria, has been closely watched by industry stakeholders and travellers alike.
When completed, the upgraded terminal was expected to transform the airport experience for millions of passengers who transit through Lagos annually.
The development underscores growing concerns over safety and project management in public infrastructure works, especially where ongoing construction coincides with active daily use.
FAAN has assured the public that a comprehensive official statement will be issued once authorities have fully assessed the fire’s cause, the extent of damage and any implications for airport services.
Passengers and the travelling public are advised to stay updated via official FAAN channels and liaise with their airlines for the latest travel information.
Further updates will follow as more details emerge from the scene and from the aviation authority’s formal briefing.
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