Airport WiFi Goes Live in Lagos, Abuja
Airport WiFi is now live at two of Nigeria’s busiest gateways. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), in partnership with MTN Nigeria, has launched free internet services at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
The Airport WiFi service was unveiled on Thursday before aviation stakeholders and telecom executives. A live demonstration in Lagos showed passengers connecting seamlessly and experiencing high-speed access within seconds.
Representing FAAN Managing Director/Chief Executive, Olubunmi Kuku, Director of Airport Operations, Mahmoud Abdullahi, described the rollout as a turning point for Nigeria’s aviation and digital ecosystem.
She said the service delivers “free, reliable, high-speed internet connectivity for airport users,” stressing that it is already “live and operational” in Lagos and Abuja.
Airport WiFi Supports Digital Economy Vision
Positioning Airport WiFi within national policy, Kuku linked the initiative to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s digital economy agenda and the reform drive of Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
“We are not simply installing routers; we are building bridges between government objectives and citizen experience,” she said. “Modernisation does not require waiting solely for state funding; it requires partnership, innovation, and the courage to execute.”
She added that connectivity now ranks “on a par with lighting and air conditioning” at modern airports. Therefore, Nigeria must align with global standards set by bodies such as the International Air Transport Association.
Kuku painted a vivid picture of the impact. “A businessman closes a life-changing deal via video call. A student submits their university application before boarding. A first-time visitor to Nigeria receives a reassuring video call from his host,” she said. “These are not just transactions; these are human moments that matter.”
Acknowledging past frustrations, she noted: “For too long, our passengers have experienced the frustration of being disconnected when connection mattered most. Today, we change that story.”
Five Airports Targeted Within Three Months
Meanwhile, the Airport WiFi expansion plan is ambitious. Beyond Lagos and Abuja, FAAN confirmed that the Temporary Terminal at MMIA will soon be connected, followed by Enugu, Port Harcourt and Kano international airports.
“Our ambition is clear: no Nigerian airport should be an offline island in a digital world,” Kuku declared.
Representing the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria Communications PLC is Dr Karl Olutokun Toriola, MTN’s Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Lynda Saint-Nwafor, described the collaboration as a convergence of public and private interests.
“Connectivity is no longer a luxury,” she said. “Whether you are conducting business, accessing vital information, staying in touch with loved ones or passing time productively, reliable connectivity has become an enabler of modern behaviour.”
She confirmed that the first phase covers five international airports and will be completed within two to three months. “Within the next three months, we should be done with the expansion across the five airports. So today we have Lagos and Abuja flying,” she said.
Built for Dense Passenger Traffic
Addressing operational concerns, Saint-Nwafor explained that the Airport WiFi platform is a “smart, analytics-enabled solution.” The system can monitor peak periods and user behaviour while complying with privacy standards.
“These insights support improved service delivery, informed planning and more personalised engagement,” she said.
On network congestion, she acknowledged that high passenger density may create contention during peak hours. However, she assured stakeholders that the infrastructure was designed for heavy traffic.
“This network is built to support a very dense capacity of people,” she said. “When you have a concentration of people, there is something called contention. Everybody is paying for the same source.”
She added that MTN would work closely with FAAN to expand bandwidth where necessary and ensure sustainability.
PPP Model, No Cost to Passengers
Clarifying funding, FAAN Director of Commercial and Business Development, Ms Joy Mumiagui, said the authority is not directly paying for the service. Instead, the Airport WiFi project operates under a public-private partnership model.
“What we’ve been able to do is a PPP,” she said. “The WiFi is free to all users. There’s no payment for it at all.”
The arrangement, she explained, leverages branding and commercial frameworks rather than direct public expenditure. In addition, FAAN expects the partnership model to ensure long-term viability.
The rollout marks a defining chapter for Nigeria’s airport infrastructure. However, execution will determine whether seamless connectivity can be sustained at scale.
“We have turned on the signal today,” Kuku concluded. “But the signal we are truly sending is this: Nigerian aviation is writing a new chapter — one of innovation, partnership, and unwavering commitment to excellence.”
For now, Airport WiFi is active in Lagos and Abuja. The next three months will test how swiftly and effectively the remaining airports come online.
