Minister of Aviation and Airspace Development, Festus Keyamo, has assured passengers and airlines that flight operations will continue without disruption following the fire that ravaged the old terminal building of Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Monday.
Speaking during a media briefing at the scene, the minister dismissed speculation of sabotage and urged the public to await the outcome of an official investigation. He emphasised that emergency responders acted swiftly to contain the blaze and prevent fatalities.
“We must thank those who were the first responders before we begin to explain conspiracy theories,” he said, commending personnel from the Lagos State Fire Service, staff of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and other partners for their rapid intervention.
Keyamo acknowledged that valuable equipment, especially from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency was destroyed.
He stated that “Our NiMet office, where they read weather is totally gone”, adding that backup systems from other stations would be temporarily deployed while replacement plans are finalised.
He confirmed that no lives were lost, though several people trapped in upper floors – including air traffic controllers – had to be rescued by crane. A few injured individuals remain in stable condition.
Keyamo revealed that air traffic control operations resumed roughly an hour after the incident, thanks to emergency contingency measures coordinated with the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency.
According to him, authorities immediately activated a temporary control tower while mobile towers were being deployed to stabilise operations.
“We have made temporary arrangements for air traffic control… mobile towers are coming in today for us to resume normal flight activities. Flight activities will not be disrupted in any way at all,” he assured.
The minister clarified that the affected structure forward not the airport’s newer terminal but the decades-old building that had already been slated for demolition and total rehabilitation. He said contractors from China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation were already on site for preparatory works before the incident.
The fire broke out in the old terminal complex, sending thick smoke through upper floors and trapping personnel inside. Emergency teams coordinated rescue and firefighting efforts for several hours before bringing the blaze under control.
Keyamo described the damaged terminal as a facility built roughly half a century ago and long overdue for replacement. He noted that passenger traffic had far exceeded its original design capacity, stressing that infrastructure decay and outdated systems made reconstruction inevitable.
He added that about 67 per cent of travellers entering Nigeria pass through Lagos, making the airport the country’s primary international gateway and a critical national asset.
The minister linked the ongoing airport modernisation to broader reforms approved by Bola Tinubu, saying the reconstruction project aims to transform Lagos into a major transit hub for West and Central Africa.
He said the redesigned airport would enable passengers to transit through Nigeria to other destinations without requiring entry visas, positioning the
Addressing media coverage of the incident, Keyamo urged journalists and the public to rely on verified official updates rather than unconfirmed reports circulating online.
“We are the ones telling you officially now what you should report,” he stated, adding that transparency was the government’s priority and that journalists had been granted access to inspect the site themselves.
Authorities are expected to begin clearing debris immediately to accelerate demolition and reconstruction plans. A full damage assessment is still under way to determine financial losses and replacement costs for destroyed equipment.
Despite the disruption caused by the blaze, the minister insisted that contingency arrangements for the temporary terminal infrastructure and upgrade of the old terminal will ensure continuity of service and, ultimately, a stronger and more modern aviation gateway for Nigeria.
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