Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has announced that Terminal 1 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos will be demolished after a fire outbreak caused severe damage to the facility on Monday.
The minister made this known on Tuesday after inspecting the affected areas, describing the destruction as significant. He noted that vital equipment belonging to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, including weather-monitoring systems located on the upper floor, was destroyed in the incident.
According to reports, the fire broke out at about 3:00 p.m. on Monday, sending thick smoke into the terminal and causing panic among passengers and airport workers. Emergency responders, including firefighters from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, worked for several hours before the situation was brought under control.
During the emergency, some air traffic control personnel were briefly trapped but were safely rescued. No deaths were recorded, although a few people sustained injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment. Authorities say those affected are recovering.
The incident also disrupted flight activities, forcing the temporary closure of the Lagos airfield and the diversion of some international flights. Air traffic control operations have since resumed with the support of temporary and mobile facilities.\
Keyamo said the damaged equipment is worth millions of naira and acknowledged concerns about the impact on operations. However, he assured that weather services would continue through alternative NiMet facilities while plans are underway to replace the affected infrastructure. He added that the incident would speed up the shift to the new terminal, which is nearing completion.
The minister cautioned against premature conclusions about the cause of the fire, saying investigations are ongoing. Meanwhile, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has assured the public that updates will be provided as more details emerge.
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