Keyamo: Lagos International Airport To Undergo Total Rebuild—No Loans Involved, Self Funded

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has provided further clarity on the major redevelopment plans for the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, following the recent approval granted by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

In a detailed statement, Keyamo broke down the scope of the transformation, underlining the government’s commitment to delivering a modern, smart airport infrastructure without resorting to loans—a shift made possible through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, which is one of the direct outcomes of Nigeria’s removal of fuel subsidies.

According to the minister, Lagos currently operates two international terminals. Terminal One, the older building commissioned in 1979 during the Obasanjo-led military era, consists of Wing D and Wing E. This facility, facing the main airport access road, has been severely degraded over the years due to overuse and neglect, despite various patchwork attempts to keep it functional.

“What we simply want to do now,” Keyamo stated, “is to totally strip down that building—including the entire roof—leaving only the carcass, then re-design and rebuild a brand-new terminal that meets modern international standards and can cater for our growing passenger traffic.”

Terminal Two, the newer structure to the right of the airport entrance, began under President Jonathan’s administration with a Chinese loan, was completed under President Buhari, and commissioned for use during the first month of President Tinubu’s government. Keyamo revealed that Terminal Two will also benefit from this new phase of development, with planned expansion of both the building and the apron to accommodate more aircraft, especially wide-body types.

A key design flaw from the past will also be addressed: “We are constructing two new independent ring roads for departure and arrival, along with a bridge that connects travelers directly to the upper departure level of Terminal Two. No more dragging luggage up escalators,” the minister said.

Beyond physical infrastructure, smart technology solutions have been introduced into the redesigns to ensure Nigeria’s flagship airport meets the standards of the best airports worldwide. Keyamo emphasized that this will be a truly smart airport, fit for the future and reflective of Nigeria’s ambitions.

Importantly, the minister stressed that the entire project will be self-funded, with no reliance on foreign loans, unlike in the past. “This is the Renewed Hope agenda in action. We are funding this with resources from our own infrastructure development fund, which is a dividend of subsidy removal,” he said.

In line with the administration’s emphasis on transparency and public engagement, Keyamo also announced plans for regular facility tours during the construction phase. Journalists, civil society groups, lawmakers, and interested Nigerians will be invited to inspect progress. “It’s a national heritage. We all should be interested in what becomes of it,” he noted.

He also urged Nigerians to compare the projected cost of this redevelopment with the costs of modern airports recently built around the world, including in Africa. “Google airports like the one in Angola,” he advised, “and you’ll see that the Bureau for Public Procurement did an excellent job in benchmarking our project.”

While Lagos takes center stage due to its high traffic, the minister reminded the public that Nigeria also boasts new terminals in Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Kano, though these are currently underutilized due to low traffic—operating at less than 30% of their capacities.

To aid understanding and further transparency, a video detailing the proposed works has also been produced and shared by the ministry.

“This is not just an upgrade. It’s a complete transformation,” Keyamo concluded. “And Nigerians will be proud of what we’re about to deliver.”