Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has defended the Federal Government’s plan to remodel Terminal One of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, at a cost of ₦712 billion, describing it as vital for aligning Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure with global standards.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Keyamo said the terminal constructed in the 1970s has deteriorated significantly, citing leaking roofs, faulty carousels, crumbling ceilings, and the proliferation of roadside-style kiosks within the facility.
“The roof is leaking; the place is decrepit and smelly. You see kiosks selling Indomie, ceilings are collapsing, and carousels don’t work because replacement parts are no longer available,” he stated.
The project, which has drawn public criticism amid economic hardship and inflation, is not being financed from the national budget, according to the minister. Instead, it will be funded through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund, which pools savings from fuel subsidy removal and naira floatation.
Keyamo emphasized that the plan is not a renovation but a complete overhaul of the terminal building.
“We’re not refurbishing. We’re tearing it down. Only the pillars and decking will remain. Everything else goes. It will be completely redesigned,” he said.
The reconstruction is expected to span 22 months, with the goal of transforming Lagos into a true aviation hub comparable to regional leaders like Ethiopia and South Africa.
He warned that failure to modernize the airport could result in international airlines avoiding Nigerian airspace, citing concerns over infrastructure, safety, and soaring insurance premiums.
“If your terminals and runways are substandard, airlines may stop flying here due to high insurance costs,” he cautioned.
Keyamo also lamented the lack of seamless domestic-to-international connectivity within Lagos airport infrastructure, blaming outdated planning since the MMIA was originally commissioned in 1977.
“Lagos was designed to be a hub in 1977, but it never evolved. This will change that,” he assured.
The minister reiterated the administration’s commitment to long-term infrastructural growth as part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, despite economic concerns raised by critics.
