The Federal Government has unveiled detailed plans for a N712.26 billion redevelopment of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, marking one of the most significant upgrades in the airport’s history. The project includes a complete reconstruction of Terminal One, expansion of the aircraft apron to accommodate wide-body planes, and the construction of a new bridge for streamlined passenger access.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced the initiative on Sunday via his official X (formerly Twitter) account. This disclosure comes shortly after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved a N987 billion budget for airport infrastructure upgrades nationwide, with Lagos receiving the largest portion.
Terminal One — built in 1979 and currently housing Wings D and E — will be stripped to its structural core and redesigned to meet global aviation standards. Years of inadequate maintenance and overwhelming passenger volumes have rendered the facility outdated and in urgent need of transformation.
Keyamo elaborated that the project also includes the expansion of Terminal Two, enlargement of the aircraft apron for more wide-body jets, and the construction of two dedicated ring roads for efficient arrival and departure traffic. A new pedestrian bridge will also be built to link directly to the upper level of the departure lounge.
“To further enunciate our plans for the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMI) in Lagos, let me further clarify the approval we secured from the Federal Executive Council Meeting last week.
There are two international terminals in Lagos. Terminal One is that old building directly facing the long stretch of road leading to the airport built & commissioned in 1979 by the Obasanjo-led Military regime. It has two wings known as WING D and WING E,” Keyamo’s post read in part.
He continued:
“Due to years of neglect & because the traffic over time quadrupled beyond its capacity, the building & facilities at Terminal One became totally decrepit. We have been engaged in some patch jobs over the years just to make it a bit presentable. Now, shorn of all the rhetoric, what we simply want to do is to totally strip down that building, including the entire roof (leaving only the carcass), then re-design/reconfigure it & build a brand-new airport for the nation to meet modern, international standards that can also cater for the increased traffic. Both wings D and E would be affected.”
Smart Technology & Local Funding
Keyamo emphasized that the reimagined MMIA will incorporate smart technology, transforming it into a state-of-the-art smart airport with improved efficiency and passenger experience.
Notably, the project will be financed entirely through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, which draws from national savings following the removal of fuel subsidies—without reliance on external loans.
The Minister also pledged transparency throughout the 22-month construction timeline:
• Regular site tours will be arranged for journalists, civil society groups, lawmakers, and interested citizens.
• This is to ensure public oversight and accountability from start to finish.
Keyamo further justified the focus on Lagos by noting that new terminals in Kano, Abuja, and Port Harcourt remain underutilized, whereas MMIA operates beyond its intended capacity, making this revamp urgent and essential.
