A major fire outbreak has engulfed the old terminal building of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, sparking a swift emergency response from aviation authorities and emergency services.
The incident, which occurred on Monday afternoon, affected a section of the ageing terminal that is currently undergoing renovation as part of a federal infrastructure upgrade initiative.
Emergency Response Activated
In an official statement released this evening, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed the outbreak and disclosed that its firefighting unit was immediately mobilised to the scene. The agency said its firefighters were actively working to contain and extinguish the blaze.
“The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria is aware of the fire outbreak at the old terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, and our firefighting team is currently on the ground responding and working to bring the situation under control,” FAAN said in its statement.
No Casualties Recorded
Authorities emphasised that there were no injuries or loss of life reported in connection with the fire, a development that has provided some relief amid concerns among travellers and airport staff.
FAAN urged the travelling public and airport users to remain calm as emergency operations continue and further assessments of the facility’s condition are conducted.
Cause Yet to be Determined
As of the time of publication, the exact cause of the fire remains unknown. Both FAAN and emergency responders have indicated that investigations will be launched to determine the origin and contributing factors of the outbreak.
Operational Impact
The fire is understood to have affected portions of the old terminal, which has historically been used for passenger processing and airline operations before the commissioning of newer facilities at MMIA. While the full operational impact on flights and airport activities has yet to be confirmed, the Lagos airport—one of Nigeria’s busiest aviation hubs—has activated safety protocols to manage passenger flow and ensure continuity of essential services.
Stakeholder Reassurance and Next Steps
Officials from FAAN and emergency agencies are expected to issue updated briefings as more information becomes available regarding the extent of damage, the timeline for full containment, and any potential disruptions to airport services.
This fire incident comes at a time when the federal government has been investing in significant upgrades to Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure, including renovation and expansion projects at key airport terminals.
