Federal Government to Rebuild Lagos Airport Terminal, Targets 20 Million Annual Passengers

The Federal Government has announced plans to demolish and reconstruct the old terminal of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos. The goal is to transform the facility into a modern transportation hub capable of handling up to 20 million passengers annually.

Originally built in 1977 to accommodate just 200,000 passengers each year, the terminal has been under immense pressure due to a surge in traffic, now exceeding 3 million passengers annually. This substantial growth has exposed the limitations of the aging infrastructure, prompting the need for a complete overhaul.

The reconstruction will be carried out by a leading international construction firm. Funding for the project has already been secured, and work is expected to begin shortly. The move is part of a broader national strategy to revamp Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure and bring it up to global standards.

While the project has been welcomed by many who view it as a long-overdue upgrade, some stakeholders have voiced concerns about possible disruptions during the construction phase. To address this, suggestions have been made to redirect airport operations to newer terminals to reduce congestion and maintain safety during the redevelopment process.

The MMIA has already seen progress in recent years, including the launch of a new international terminal in 2022, which currently handles up to 14 million passengers annually. The new plan to rebuild the older terminal is expected to further establish Lagos as a major air travel hub in Africa.

This initiative underscores the government's commitment to enhancing transportation systems and improving the travel experience for both domestic and international passengers.