The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has confirmed the full restoration of flight operations at Murtala Muhammed International Airport following a fire outbreak that disrupted activities at Terminal One on Monday evening.
FAAN said the incident, which caused panic and temporary operational setbacks, was swiftly brought under control through coordinated emergency efforts involving multiple rescue agencies.
Speaking on the development, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of FAAN, Olubunmi Kuku, disclosed that preliminary investigations indicated that the fire may have originated from the ground floor of the terminal, where several offices and a restaurant are located, before spreading to the building’s upper sections.
She confirmed that some individuals sustained injuries but stressed that no deaths were recorded. According to her, all affected persons received immediate medical attention, and their conditions were stable.
In an official update, FAAN revealed that emergency responders deployed a crane to the control tower area, enabling the safe rescue of 14 individuals who were initially trapped inside the facility. The agency added that six people — three males and three females — were treated for injuries, with one transferred to the FAAN Headquarters Hospital for further medical evaluation.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service provided a slightly different account, stating that the fire started from the IT server room on the third floor of the five-storey terminal building. The agency said its rapid intervention, supported by other emergency responders, successfully confined the blaze and prevented further damage.
The incident caused delays in flight schedules, with airline operators reporting disruptions across their networks. Nigeria’s largest carrier, Air Peace, confirmed that several inbound and outbound flights were affected but assured passengers that efforts were underway to stabilise operations.
The fire outbreak has once again drawn attention to the ongoing debate over the planned remodelling of the ageing terminal. Last year, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, defended the Federal Government’s ₦712 billion upgrade proposal, describing it as essential to meeting international standards.
Keyamo had explained that the project would be funded through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Programme and not from conventional budgetary allocations. He argued that without significant upgrades, Nigeria risked losing major international airlines and diminishing its aviation competitiveness.
Despite concerns from critics who questioned the timing of such heavy expenditure amid rising inflation and economic hardship, the government maintained that modernising the airport remains a strategic priority.
Following Monday’s incident, FAAN reiterated its commitment to passenger safety, operational efficiency, and continuous infrastructure improvement, assuring the public that all necessary measures are in place to prevent future occurrences.
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