FG secures private sector support for MMIA refurbishment

By Innocent Raphael 

The Federal Government has announced that several corporate entities in the private sector have committed to refurbishing the arrival and departure areas of Wing D at Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos State.

This development was revealed by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, during an interview with Otega Ogra, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu, which was featured on the official YouTube page of the State House of Nigeria.

In his remarks, Minister Keyamo emphasized that while large-scale infrastructure projects take significant time and financial resources, the Ministry’s immediate goal is to collaborate with private companies for essential upgrades to airport facilities nationwide.

“We have changed the arrival area of MMIA Wing E,” Keyamo noted. 

“Shell came in and did a lot for us there. That’s a beautiful entrance into Nigeria. We are talking to one or two corporate bodies. They are just about to start their own on Wing D, departure and arrival,” he added.

Keyamo further stated that these private entities will also refurbish the departure area of Wing E, alongside the improvements planned for Wing D at MMIA. 

The short-term goal is the modernization of these airport wings, with a long-term plan to reconstruct most airports across the country to meet international standards.

Enhancing Customer Experience

Keyamo also highlighted the need for improved attitudes among airport officials to enhance the customer experience, in addition to infrastructure upgrades. 

He pointed out that the current conduct of civil servants at the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) does not align with delivering top-notch service.

An ongoing initiative aims to change the mentality of these officials to be more customer-friendly, ensuring better services for the flying public. Keyamo believes that with this shift in mindset, combined with the federal government’s collaboration with the private sector, the overall customer experience at Nigerian airports will significantly improve.

The refurbishment of the arrival area of Wing E at MMIA, completed by Shell, marks the first of several planned upgrades.

This project, inaugurated in December 2023 by the Minister of Interior, Mr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, aims to streamline the arrival process and provide a smoother experience for all passengers, especially the elderly and those with mobility challenges. 

The upgraded Wing E has been open to the public for several months, setting a precedence for future refurbishments at MMIA.