The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has outlined an ambitious plan to modernise Nigeria’s airport infrastructure, with a major focus on the rehabilitation and transformation of Murtala Muhammed International Airport into a competitive regional aviation hub.
Speaking during an interview with CNBC Africa, FAAN Managing Director Olubunmi Kuku said the reform programme extends beyond policy initiatives such as the recently introduced airport cashless payment system and is instead designed to address long-term infrastructure gaps, improve passenger movement and establish transit capabilities that would enable Nigeria to function as a major connecting point for international travel.
Kuku explained that the centrepiece of the transformation is the ongoing rehabilitation of the Lagos international terminal, a project expected to be completed within a 22 to 24 month timeframe. The upgrade includes redesigned passenger processing areas, improved entry and exit routes and the deployment of technology such as biometric verification systems and electronic gates aimed at streamlining airport operations and reducing congestion.
According to her, the objective is to redesign the airport from the “inside out” by focusing on the entire passenger journey, from arrival at the airport entrance through security processing and boarding. The plan integrates digital systems intended to improve efficiency and deliver a smoother travel experience.
Alongside the infrastructure overhaul, FAAN is also reviewing operational processes around airport access. Kuku disclosed that the authority is preparing to introduce a hybrid payment model at airport toll gates after the rollout of a strictly cashless policy triggered significant traffic congestion around major airports, particularly in Lagos and at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
She said the cashless system was first introduced in July 2025 and intensified later in the year as part of broader federal government efforts to digitise transactions and improve transparency within airport operations. However, when full enforcement began in early March, commuters and passengers struggled to adapt quickly, leading to severe traffic bottlenecks around the Lagos airport corridor, which connects densely populated areas including Ikeja, Oshodi and Isolo.
Following complaints from airport users, the federal government approved a temporary hybrid system that allows both electronic and cash payments while FAAN strengthens the payment infrastructure and expands the adoption of contactless cards.
Kuku noted that the broader reform agenda is tied to Nigeria’s ambition to adopt a hub-and-spoke aviation model similar to those successfully developed at major African gateways such as Cairo International Airport, O. R. Tambo International Airport and Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. These airports have evolved into major transit centres where passengers connect between destinations rather than simply ending their journeys.
She explained that achieving similar success in Nigeria will require more than infrastructure upgrades. The strategy also involves expanding airline partnerships, strengthening bilateral air service agreements and developing dedicated transit facilities that allow passengers to move seamlessly between connecting flights without leaving the airport.
A key feature of the Lagos airport redevelopment will therefore be the integration of a proper transit system designed to facilitate smoother passenger transfers and position Nigeria to capture a larger share of regional passenger and cargo traffic.
Kuku also confirmed that a recent fire incident at the Lagos airport caused only minimal disruption to operations. Some technology systems temporarily switched to manual processes before being fully restored, but she said the incident has not affected the overall rehabilitation timeline.
She maintained that the ultimate objective of the reforms is to ensure Nigerian airports deliver a modern travel experience while strengthening the country’s role as a strategic aviation gateway for West Africa and the broader continent.
