The Federal Government has announced plans to demolish the aging terminal at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, replacing it with a modern structure to improve service delivery and safety standards.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, made this known during a book launch in Lagos on Friday. He explained that the Tinubu-led administration has shelved the earlier proposed national carrier project, opting instead to channel resources and policy efforts toward boosting indigenous airline operations.
“We have decided to focus our energy on creating an enabling environment for local airlines to thrive,” Keyamo said at the unveiling of 100 Years of Civil Aviation in Nigeria: History, Issues and Prospects, authored by aviation journalist Wole Shadare. “The old MMIA terminal is in a deplorable state, and we intend to bring it down and replace it with a new, more functional facility.”
The minister highlighted reforms aimed at reducing domestic airfare and enhancing operational capacity, including updated insurance regulations for leased aircraft. According to him, these measures are expected to increase aircraft availability and make air travel more affordable.
Keyamo also revealed that most international carriers operating in Nigeria now use local caterers for in-flight services, following directives issued by the ministry.
In her remarks, Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Olubunmi Kuku, noted that Nigeria currently boasts 39 certified airline operators, 31 airports, and over 2,100 licensed pilots.
“The sector is growing rapidly,” Kuku said. “Private airlines like Air Peace and Arik Air have transformed the aviation landscape, and international carriers increasingly view Nigeria as a key destination.”
She further disclosed that the air transport sector contributed approximately $1.7 billion to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), despite lingering issues such as infrastructure gaps, regulatory hurdles, and funding constraints.
Reflecting on the sector’s evolution, Kuku recounted the rise and fall of the defunct national airline, Nigeria Airways, and how private investment helped revitalise the industry in the early 2000s.
“A market-driven approach has proven to be more sustainable,” she added. “Last year alone, domestic air travel accounted for over 16 million passengers, while international flights recorded more than 3.5 million travellers.”
The book’s author, Wole Shadare, described the 25-chapter publication as a comprehensive chronicle of Nigeria’s aviation history and an essential guide for researchers and industry stakeholders.
“This work captures a century of aviation in Nigeria, its challenges, breakthroughs, and prospects,” Shadare noted.
The government’s new direction signals a strategic shift that prioritises sustainable growth and domestic capacity building over symbolic national projects.