August 01, (THEWILL) — The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the full rehabilitation, upgrade, and modernisation of Terminal One at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who disclosed this to State House correspondents after the FEC meeting on Thursday, said the approval was part of a wide range of infrastructure projects in Nigeria’s aviation sector under the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund.
He said the terminal overhaul, awarded to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), will involve stripping the facility down to its structural shell and rebuilding it with entirely new mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.
“We have decided to strip it down to only the carcass and do a complete M&E reconstruction”, Keyamo said, adding that the administration is abandoning temporary fixes for long-term solutions.
Alongside the Terminal One overhaul, the Council approved the expansion of Terminal Two, including new aprons, access roads, bridges, and auxiliary infrastructure.
The combined cost of all Lagos-related aviation works stands at N712.26 billion, making it one of the most ambitious single-location investments in Nigeria’s aviation history.
To enhance security at MMIA, FEC also approved N49.9 billion for the installation of a 14.6-kilometre perimeter fence equipped with Intrusion Detection Systems, CCTV surveillance, Solar-powered floodlights, Patrol roads, and a modern real-time Command and Control centre.
“Anyone or anything approaching the fence will be detected immediately and the exact location identified”, Keyamo explained.
Further approvals were granted for the full rehabilitation of runways and airfield ground lighting systems at the Kano and Port Harcourt International Airports.
At the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, the two main runways will be upgraded to Category II lighting standards to enhance aircraft landing during harmattan and other low-visibility weather conditions.
The project, which also includes improvements to the taxiway and lighting systems, is estimated to be over N46 billion and is scheduled for completion within 24 weeks.
In Port Harcourt, the Obafemi Awolowo International Airport will, similarly, receive Category II lighting upgrades for its runway and taxiways, costing over N42 billion.
The project, designed to prevent runway incursions and wildlife hazards, will cost approximately N50 billion and is expected to be completed within 24 months.
Additionally, MMIA will benefit from runway and adjacent taxiway enhancements, including Category II lighting and navigational upgrades valued at over N44 billion, with completion scheduled within 30 weeks.
The domestic wing of the MMIA will also see further expansion, with apron reconstruction taking place in three phases across over 82,000 square metres. This project aims to boost aircraft parking capacity and improve ground operations and is expected to be completed in 17 and a half months, at a cost of N24.3 billion.
Keyamo also announced the Federal Government’s approval of a 30-year concession for the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu to the Aero Alliance Consortium. This includes the concessioning of the airport’s uncompleted cargo terminal. The move is part of broader efforts to enhance the operational efficiency and profitability of underutilised airports across the country.
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