FAAN Justifies ₦712bn Lagos Airport Overhaul, Says 50-Year-Old Terminal Has Outlived Its Purpose
Story written by Zara October 9,2025
The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, has defended the Federal Executive Council’s (FEC) approval of ₦712.24 billion for the comprehensive rehabilitation of Terminal One of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, stressing that the terminal has become outdated and unsafe for modern operations.
Speaking during a televised interview, Kuku revealed that the terminal, built nearly five decades ago, has never undergone any major renovation since its commissioning. She said this neglect has left Nigeria’s busiest airport lagging far behind global aviation standards.
“This terminal was built almost 50 years ago and has not seen any major upgrade. Around the world, airports are modernised regularly. You can’t complain that our airports are in poor condition and still oppose efforts to fix them,” Kuku stated.
She criticised those faulting the cost of the rehabilitation, noting that the approval followed a rigorous procurement process, including scrutiny by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and final ratification by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
“A project of this magnitude went through every required tender process. Due process was strictly observed from start to finish. All documents are publicly available,” she affirmed.
Kuku assured Nigerians that FAAN remains committed to transparency and accountability, promising that procurement details, timelines, and project milestones will be published for public access.
“We owe Nigerians full disclosure. Every naira spent must be justified. The documents and progress reports will be made available for scrutiny,” she added.
Explaining the project’s scope, Kuku said the rehabilitation would go beyond cosmetic repairs to include a complete structural overhaul, modernisation of facilities, and expansion of the airport’s apron. Plans also include building a new transit terminal to attract connecting passengers, a service currently unavailable in Nigeria.
“Nigeria has no functioning transit system in any of its airports. To grow passenger traffic and revenue, we must build infrastructure that supports connecting flights,” she said.
The project will also tackle long-standing structural challenges at Terminal Two, where wide-bodied aircraft face operational limitations. Improvements will include expanding the finger section, redesigning passenger flow, and developing new access roads to ease congestion.
Kuku disclosed that FAAN is already working with airlines to adjust check-in procedures and flight scheduling to minimise disruptions during the upgrade.
She emphasised that the goal of the project is not only to rebuild but to position Nigeria’s aviation sector for global competitiveness.
“Airports represent the front door of a nation. For investors, tourists, and business travellers, their first impression of Nigeria begins at the airport. This upgrade is about matching that experience with our national ambition,” Kuku concluded.
