In what has become the federal government’s boldest move to modernize Nigeria’s aviation infrastructure, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos is set to undergo a complete transformation. The Federal Executive Council (FEC), under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved a staggering ₦712.26 billion for the comprehensive rehabilitation of International Terminal One at the Lagos airport.
This announcement was made on Thursday by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, after the weekly FEC meeting held at the State House in Abuja. According to the minister, the reconstruction project will be executed by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and will involve a total dismantling of the old terminal, stripping it down to its structural skeleton before rebuilding it with modern mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.
Keyamo stated that this overhaul is part of a broader ₦900 billion aviation revitalization strategy, making Lagos the centerpiece of the government’s ambitious plan to elevate airport standards nationwide. In addition to the complete rebuild of Terminal One, the Council also approved the expansion of Terminal Two, including the construction of a new aircraft apron, access roads, bridges, and related infrastructure.
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The Lagos airport redevelopment now stands as the single largest investment in Nigeria’s aviation history, sparking widespread attention and stirring debate about regional equity. Critics have questioned why Lagos alone is receiving such a significant chunk of the aviation budget, raising concerns over possible favoritism and regional imbalance in federal allocations.
Adding to the transformation is a new ₦49.9 billion security initiative at the airport. The Council has approved the construction of a 14.6-kilometer steel perimeter fence equipped with state-of-the-art intrusion detection systems, solar-powered floodlights, CCTV surveillance, and a patrol road. A centralized command center will be built to monitor activity in real time.
“Anyone or anything that comes close to that fence will be detected instantly, with the precise location identified immediately,” Keyamo assured, emphasizing the urgency of protecting Nigeria’s busiest airport from potential threats.
As work is set to begin, all eyes are on Lagos and the federal government’s ability to deliver on promises of transparency, equity, and nationwide development.
