Lagos — Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has assured travellers of strengthened safety measures at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport following a fire outbreak that damaged part of the airport’s old terminal building.

The incident, which affected sections of Terminal One, initially caused concern among passengers and disrupted operations. However, airport authorities say normalcy was restored within hours, and flight activities have since resumed at full capacity with heavy passenger traffic to multiple destinations.

Flights resume after brief disruption

Witnesses reported that the inferno led to temporary operational glitches and palpable fear among travellers. Despite the visible damage to critical infrastructure within the affected terminal, airport operations quickly stabilised.

Officials confirmed that both domestic and international flights are currently running, with airlines continuing scheduled departures and arrivals.

Minister inspects damage

Keyamo visited Lagos to assess the extent of the destruction and ensure uninterrupted operations. He emphasised that the newer terminal building was not affected by the fire and that there is “no cause for alarm.”

According to the minister, authorities had already begun relocating airlines and airport services away from the aging structure prior to the incident.

“Even before this fire, we had already made temporary arrangements to move most of the airlines and entities operating in that space,” he said. “What this has done is to hasten our move away from the building, which was already scheduled for demolition and rehabilitation.”

He added that although several pieces of equipment were damaged, contingency plans were in place.

Temporary terminal activated

Keyamo also inspected a newly prepared temporary terminal equipped with modern facilities designed to accommodate about four airlines previously operating in the affected sections.

The facility will serve as a temporary check-in and processing area and is expected to ease congestion and reduce pressure on the old terminal.

“We have done this to assure Nigerians that we were prepared for the movement away from that place,” the minister said, noting that the terminal’s size and efficiency were considered in its planning.