The Federal Government of Nigeria has committed approximately $500 million to the upgrade of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, as part of efforts to modernise the country’s aviation infrastructure.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, during the Aircraft Acquisition and Investment Summit held in Lagos.
According to the minister, the scale of the investment reflects Nigeria’s ambition to strengthen its position as a key aviation hub in Africa.
“The scale of Nigeria’s aviation opportunity is perhaps best illustrated by what is now happening in Lagos, with roughly half a billion dollars invested by the Nigerian government in the modernisation of Lagos International Airport infrastructure.
“Nigeria is making a clear statement that the gateway serving one of Africa’s most important aviation markets must match the scale of its responsibility. We did not borrow the money; Mr President made the funds available in cash, and contractors have already moved to the site,” he stated.
Keyamo revealed that the project is expected to be completed within 22 months, expressing confidence that the outcome will significantly improve passenger experience and operational efficiency.
“You will be very proud of what you see at Lagos airport in the next 22 months because that is the time allocated for delivery. Mr President [Bola Tinubu] understands the importance of aviation and its gateways. You can imagine how we are clearing the backlog and reforming our major airports.”
He further announced that the government has approved plans to resume work on a second runway at Abuja airport, which had previously stalled.
“After Lagos, we are moving elsewhere. The President has also approved the commencement of the second runway in Abuja; you are hearing it here for the first time. Work had been halted due to volatility in the Niger, but construction will resume immediately, and the second runway in Abuja will be ready in no time,” he said.
The MMIA upgrade, approved by the Federal Executive Council, is a ₦712 billion project aimed at transforming the ageing facility into a modern, world-class airport. The overhaul will go beyond basic renovations, involving a comprehensive upgrade of infrastructure and services.
Currently, MMIA operates multiple terminals, including international and domestic sections. While the government-managed terminal handles international flights, a privately operated terminal serves domestic routes.
A newer international terminal has also been introduced to expand capacity and improve efficiency through modern systems such as self-check-in facilities.
Plans are also underway for the development of a new airport in the Lekki-Epe axis to complement MMIA and cater to the growing economic activities in the Lekki Free Trade Zone.
The urgency of the upgrade was underscored by a fire incident in February 2026, which affected part of the old international terminal. The fire, traced to an IT server room, damaged critical communication equipment and temporarily disrupted flight operations.
Following the incident, the minister ordered the demolition of the affected terminal, accelerating plans for reconstruction and modernisation.
