The MMIA Red Line extension is set to create a direct rail connection between Murtala Muhammed International Airport and Lagos, linking key airport facilities along the route.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, speaking during the 67th Anniversary of Aero Contractors said the planned MMIA Red Line extension would run from Ikeja through the General Aviation Terminal, MMA2 and the Air Force Base before reaching the new terminal.
“The president has approved and we have drawn the plan now, we’re about to go to FEC, we want to start the red line now,” Keyamo said.
“Red line, from Ikeja, running through GAT, coming into MMA2, having a stop at Air Force Base. There will be one stop there at Air Force Base and continuing all the way to the new terminal.”
MMIA Red Line to connect airport facilities
The planned MMIA Red Line extension will not only bring rail access closer to the airport. According to Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria Managing Director, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, the project will provide several stops within the airport environment. She spoke during an inspection of the ongoing MMIA rehabilitation project.
Kuku explained that the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development is initiating the project, while FAAN will be one of its principal users. She said the extension would connect the existing Red Line with the airport.
“That project is actually being initiated by the Ministry, but of course, as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, we are the users,” Kuku said.
“The project in itself is an extension of the red line to the airport. The red line today stops in the Ikeja area, at least the closest stop for us.”
According to Kuku, the airport section is expected to have about four or five stops. These will serve different areas, including the airport terminals, cargo facilities and offices.
“It will connect. I believe we have about four or five stops within the airport area,” she said.
“There’s a stop for Terminal 1, Terminal 2. There’s a stop by Hadran Cargo. There’s a stop for the offices. And I think there’s another stop by Bissan.”
The planned stops would therefore bring the rail connection directly into different parts of the airport complex. The arrangement is also expected to complement ongoing work around Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
For FAAN, the project is centred on improving mobility between the airport and Lagos. Kuku said passengers should eventually be able to travel between the airport and Marina without relying on a car.
“But the whole idea is to connect the city to the airport,” she said.
“So, from the airport, you should be able to get into Marina almost immediately. You shouldn’t have to use a car. So of course, we’re also thinking about how we improve the mobility options that we have at the airport.”
Red Line project moves through development stages
Kuku described the planned airport rail connection as a major project for the airport. However, she said several development stages must be completed before construction can proceed.
“That’s a landmark project. It’s an iconic project,” she said.
“In terms of when will it exactly start? Remember, for large projects like this, there’s a lot of development work that goes into it.”
She said environmental impact assessments were ongoing, while some of the design work was also being reviewed. The project must also progress through the Federal Government’s procurement processes.
“The EIAs are being done at the moment. I know Nigerians are always concerned when it comes to environmental impact assessment,” Kuku said.
“Some of the design work is being reviewed. And as we go along with the procurement processes of the federal government as well.”
Keyamo’s description of the route also places several existing airport facilities along the planned rail corridor. From Ikeja, the extension is expected to pass through GAT and MMA2 before reaching the Air Force Base and the new terminal.
“There’s already a base there for it to come on the ground there,” Keyamo said. “The train will stop on the ground there. The Red Line.”
For FAAN, the proposed connection is expected to complement developments already taking place across the airport. Kuku said the project would support the work being undertaken around Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
“But this will be a landmark project, obviously to complement some of the work that we’re doing in Terminal 1 and 2,” she said.
The MMIA Red Line therefore remains tied to a wider effort to connect the airport with Lagos while extending rail access into the airport environment. Its planned stops are expected to serve terminals, cargo, offices and other airport areas.
The MMIA Red Line is currently progressing through environmental, design and procurement stages, with the Federal Government preparing for the next phase of implementation.
