The recent fire at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) terminal one on February 23 has severely affected air-to-ground communication, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has confirmed.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday at MMIA, NAMA Managing Director Farouk Umar said air traffic controllers are currently relying on backup equipment to sustain operations.
“The fire has affected our air-to-ground communication completely. What we are using to sustain air traffic service now is the backup. We have a lot to do when we are out of the situation,” Umar said.

He described the incident as a “huge loss” for communications, which temporarily disrupted other air traffic services and forced a suspension of inbound flights into Lagos. However, he added that since the resumption of flight operations, communication, aerodrome approach, and air traffic control have remained uninterrupted.

Umar commended NAMA personnel for their swift response, noting that many staff risked their lives to salvage the situation. “The workers on ground actually put their lives in danger because they were supposed to run and leave the place, but they decided to stay and salvage the situation,” he said.

He assured Nigerians that the agency is taking steps to strengthen air traffic services and improve contingency measures. “Hopefully by tomorrow or next, we will be able to move the mobile tower, but I want to assure Nigerians that the air-to-ground communication will remain uninterrupted,” Umar said.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had deployed a remote control tower to restore operations after the airspace was temporarily closed following the fire.