The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has confirmed that Terminal One of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, will undergo a full-scale but phased renovation—not demolition—as part of a comprehensive infrastructure upgrade plan.
FAAN’s Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, made the announcement during the 2025 Directorate of Commercial and Business Development (DCBD) Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum held in Lagos. She emphasized that the renovation will be executed carefully to maintain terminal operations and minimize disruption to airport users.
“This is not about pulling down Terminal One,” Kuku clarified. “We’re embarking on a major renovation, starting with the departure area while still utilizing the arrival wing.”
She acknowledged the aging state of the terminal, noting that its continued reliance on nightly patchwork—fixing leaking pipes, faulty conveyor belts, and failing systems—has become unsustainable for FAAN, its stakeholders, and Nigeria’s international image.
Initial plans proposed kicking off renovations in February with a portion of the departure section ready by December 2025. However, the project is still awaiting key approvals from the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and the Presidency. In the meantime, jet bridges, new conveyor belts, and other essential equipment have already arrived in the country in preparation.
FAAN’s Director of Airport Operations, Capt. Abdullahi Mahmood, added that the agency has set up a dedicated committee to coordinate the project, ensuring due process and stakeholder alignment.
Kuku also dismissed speculation that tenants had been asked to vacate the terminal. “We’ve only advised concessionaires to pause on new applications and ongoing upgrades so we can properly coordinate activities around the renovation schedule,” she said.
She further disclosed plans to address spatial constraints at Terminal Two through apron and finger expansions. However, legacy issues related to FAAN’s master plan have posed challenges. To address this, hangar relocations are being considered, with discussions underway on compensation and resettlement logistics for affected parties.
Additionally, Kuku revealed that contracts for new master plans for both Lagos and Abuja airports have been awarded, signalling FAAN’s broader ambition to modernize infrastructure and optimize airport operations nationwide.
Themed “Strengthening Partnerships for Sustainable Growth and Development,” the forum also featured a welcome address by Mrs. Adebola Joy Agunbiade, FAAN’s Director of Commercial and Business Development. She emphasized the importance of collective effort in building a more efficient and business-friendly airport environment.
