By Ghazali Ibrahim
A blazing fire erupted on Monday afternoon at Terminal 1 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, sending thick smoke into the sky and prompting an urgent emergency response from aviation and safety authorities.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed the blaze in a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, saying its fire-fighting team was working to contain the situation.
So far, no deaths or serious injuries have been reported.
Eyewitnesses said the fire began in the old terminal building, which is currently undergoing reconstruction by the federal government, around mid-afternoon.
Emergency teams from FAAN and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) are on the ground working to control the blaze and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the airport.
Passengers and airport workers were evacuated safely as the fire intensified, with some seen running for cover as flames and smoke filled parts of the structure.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the cause of the fire, but investigations are expected to begin once the flames are fully brought under control. FAAN has promised to issue additional updates as more verified information becomes available.
Terminal 1 has long faced infrastructure challenges and is scheduled to be closed soon as part of the larger MMIA Rehabilitation and Expansion Project, a major effort to modernise one of Nigeria’s busiest aviation hubs.
Passengers and travellers are advised to stay calm and monitor official FAAN announcements for updates on airport operations and any impact on flights.
