The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has announced that the fire-ravaged old international terminal of Murtala Muhammed International Airport will be demolished and replaced with a temporary facility as recovery efforts commence.
Keyamo disclosed this after inspecting the damage caused by Monday’s blaze at Terminal 1, also known as the old international terminal.
The incident disrupted flight operations, triggered diversions, and worsened travel delays for several airlines operating through the Lagos gateway.
In a statement posted on his X handle earlier, the minister said he undertook an emergency trip to Lagos on Monday night, arriving at the airport around midnight.
He joined the managing director and management team of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, who were coordinating response operations to ensure the fire was fully contained.
He commended FAAN personnel and other first responders for promptly activating emergency protocols, noting that their coordinated intervention helped protect lives and limit the extent of damage.
Keyamo stated that although the terminal had already been earmarked for refurbishment prior to the incident, it would now be pulled down under broader upgrade plans.
He added that a temporary terminal—intended to accommodate the limited number of airlines still operating from the facility—has reached an advanced stage of completion.
The minister further directed the FAAN fire department and the Lagos State Fire Service to maintain overnight surveillance to ensure the blaze is completely extinguished.
The afternoon fire led to the diversion of several international flights and a partial shutdown of operations at the airport. Authorities, however, confirmed that no casualties were recorded.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
