Nigeria’s ongoing airports upgrade programme has received a fresh boost with the rehabilitation and modernisation of the Hajj Terminal at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. The terminal facility can process between 8,500 and 10,000 passengers during the Hajj period.
The Federal Government says the project forms part of a wider effort to revitalise aviation infrastructure across the country. The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said the administration’s airports upgrade drive reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to rebuilding critical infrastructure.
Keyamo spoke during an inspection of the renovated Hajj Terminal alongside the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Olubunmi Kuku, and Chairman of the FAAN Board, Abdullahi Ganduje.
Airports Upgrade Targets Better Passenger Experience
The Minister described the Hajj Terminal as one of several projects demonstrating the administration’s focus on airports upgrade nationwide.
He listed the rebuilding of Lagos Airport and the resurfacing of the Kano runway among ongoing infrastructure projects. According to him, the Hajj Terminal rehabilitation is therefore part of a broader programme rather than an isolated intervention.
“From the onset, from the get-go, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been clear about the revitalization of infrastructure within the aviation sector,” Keyamo said. You can see how much attention the President has paid to developing infrastructure within the aviation sector,” he added.
The Minister said the government was also working to extend similar interventions to other locations. He noted that officials would proceed to Kano as part of the wider inspection and airports upgrade programme.
Airports Upgrade Embraces Green Energy and Global Standards
Beyond physical renovations and improved passenger facilities, the Federal Government’s airports upgrade agenda is also taking sustainability and clean energy into account.
Keyamo said Nigeria’s airport development must align with the global shift towards greener and cleaner aviation infrastructure. He noted that organisations such as the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and Airports Council International (ACI) are increasingly focusing on environmental sustainability.
He therefore commended FAAN for embracing initiatives that support global best practices, including better waste management and a gradual transition from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources.
The Minister disclosed that he had directed the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) to incorporate solar power into the design of a new airport under construction.
He commended FAAN management and its board leadership for supporting the vision, stressing that sustainable infrastructure would increasingly shape the future of airport development in Nigeria.
10,000-Passenger Capacity Strengthens Hajj Operations
The renovated terminal is expected to improve the experience of Nigerian pilgrims travelling for the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
Kuku disclosed that the facility can process between 8,500 and 10,000 passengers during the Hajj period. She explained that passenger volumes have varied in recent years, depending on the number of pilgrims allocated to Lagos.
The figure highlights the importance of the facility to Nigeria’s annual Hajj operations. It also provides a measurable indication of the scale of the infrastructure upgrade and the terminal’s operational role.
According to Kuku, the terminal previously presented a poor experience for pilgrims because of its deteriorated condition. However, the latest intervention has transformed the facility into a more functional and passenger-focused environment.
“You heard the Honourable Minister; we’ve been directed by Mr President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and of course with the leadership and guidance of the Ministry in terms of the infrastructure upgrades,” Kuku said.
“We want Hajj to be a pleasant experience for our passengers,” she added.
The FAAN managing director said the terminal now features a more organised waiting area and improved cooling systems. In addition, the facility has dedicated spaces for immigration, customs, passenger check-in and baggage handling.
The upgrade also includes prayer facilities for male and female pilgrims. Furthermore, VIP and VVIP areas have been provided, with the latter featuring individual rooms, sleeping areas, showers and en-suite facilities.
Kuku also highlighted lounge areas and kitchenettes designed to improve the experience of pilgrims waiting for their flights.
The changes, she explained, are intended to ensure that passengers have access to essential facilities before departing for Saudi Arabia.
FAAN Board Backs Infrastructure Renewal
Ganduje, who also inspected the facility, praised the work carried out by FAAN management and the aviation ministry.
He stressed that effective implementation remains essential to achieving government policy objectives. According to him, announcing policies is easier than translating them into tangible results.
“It is easy to declare a war, but it is difficult to wage it,” Ganduje said. “What I mean is that it is easy to make a policy, but to implement it effectively is very critical.”
The FAAN Board Chairman said his assessment of the renovated terminal had strengthened his confidence in the project. He also said feedback from beneficiaries had indicated noticeable improvements in the quality of services provided.
“Seeing is believing,” Ganduje said, while commending the Minister and FAAN management for the work.
Airport Revamp Extends Beyond Hajj Terminal
The latest development positions the Hajj Terminal as a prominent example of the Federal Government’s broader airports upgrade and airport infrastructure renewal agenda.
For passengers, the focus is increasingly shifting from basic airport operations to the quality of facilities and services available before departure. Therefore, the latest airports upgrade improvements in cooling, passenger processing, prayer facilities, lounges and accommodation can directly influence the travel experience.
For the aviation industry, the wider airports upgrade programme could also support better operational efficiency and passenger confidence. However, the sustainability of the projects will depend on continued maintenance and effective management after completion.
Keyamo said the government would continue supporting and guiding FAAN as it works towards delivering the President’s aviation infrastructure objectives.
“We’ll keep supporting, we’ll keep directing them, we’ll keep piloting the affairs of this sector to ensure that the dreams of the President, the aims of the President, come to fruition,” he said.
With the Hajj Terminal now capable of handling up to 10,000 passengers during peak Hajj operations, the project offers a clear snapshot of the scale of Nigeria’s current airports upgrade efforts.
The focus now turns to ensuring that the airports upgrade improvements extend beyond ceremonial inspections and translate into consistently better passenger experiences across Nigeria’s airports.
