Keyamo conducts midnight inspection after MMIA Terminal 1 fire
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, made an emergency overnight visit to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) following Monday’s fire outbreak at Terminal 1, the airport’s old international wing.
The blaze, which began at about 3:30 p.m on Monday, reportedly started in the terminal’s IT server room within the five-storey building currently undergoing extensive renovation. The fire spread to upper sections of the structure, affecting parts of the roof before it was brought under control.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), in collaboration with the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Federal Fire Service and other emergency agencies, mounted a coordinated response that successfully contained the incident. No fatalities were recorded. Between 12 and 14 personnel, including air traffic controllers in the control tower, were safely evacuated, some with the aid of a crane, while six injured persons were reported to be in stable condition and receiving treatment at the FAAN clinic.
The incident led to a temporary closure of Lagos airspace, resulting in the diversion of at least three international flights, including services operated by British Airways, Lufthansa and Emirates. Flight operations later resumed, with normal schedules restored by evening.
Arriving at the airport around midnight, Keyamo joined FAAN’s managing director and management team to assess the situation and oversee ongoing response efforts. He commended emergency responders for their swift action in activating established safety procedures.
“I undertook an emergency trip this night to Lagos following the fire incident at Terminal 1 of MMIA. I arrived at about midnight and joined the FAAN management team still coordinating response efforts. I commend the personnel and first responders for their prompt and coordinated actions, which were instrumental in safeguarding lives and limiting the impact of the incident,” the minister said.
Keyamo directed FAAN’s fire department and the Lagos State Fire Service to maintain an overnight vigil to ensure the fire was completely extinguished. He also announced plans to conduct a dawn inspection of the affected areas to assess the extent of the damage and issue further directives.
Despite the incident, authorities indicated that operational impact was limited, as most flights had already been operating from Terminal 2 and a temporary facility due to ongoing rehabilitation works at Terminal 1. Passengers have been advised to confirm flight details with their respective airlines, although full operations have since resumed.
