The Temporary Terminal at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, covering 8,000 square metres, is nearing completion as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria moves to sustain passenger operations during the full rehabilitation of the ageing international terminal. FAAN says the Temporary Terminal is central to maintaining comfort, accessibility, and operational continuity at Nigeria’s busiest international gateway.
According to FAAN, the Temporary Terminal, now over 90 per cent complete, will be operational within weeks and is designed to process up to 1,500 departing passengers at peak periods. The facility will offer full check-in, security screening, and boarding services through three departure gates, while initially serving five to six airlines on departure-only operations during the rehabilitation phase.
FAAN says the Temporary Terminal is central to ensuring passenger comfort and operational continuity during the long-overdue upgrade of the ageing international terminal. The facility is expected to absorb critical passenger traffic once Terminal 1 is closed for full reconstruction.
Managing Director Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, gave the assurance during a comprehensive inspection tour of the Temporary Terminal, accompanied by key engineers and consultants supervising the project. She said the intervention had become unavoidable, stressing that the existing terminal had exceeded its functional lifespan. According to her, the Temporary Terminal has been designed specifically to minimise disruption while enabling a full-scale modernisation of airport infrastructure.
“Murtala Muhammed Terminal One has been operational for over 48 years, with no major improvement or comprehensive rehabilitation in that time,” Mrs Kuku said. “This upgrade is not only necessary but urgent if we are to meet the demands of modern air travel and the expectations of today’s passengers.”
“This Temporary Terminal is nearing completion and will serve passengers immediately Terminal One is closed,” she explained. “It is fully equipped to support safe, secure, and efficient departure processing, and it allows us to proceed with rehabilitation works without shutting down international operations.”
She emphasised that passenger experience remains the guiding principle behind the Temporary Terminal design and deployment. “The comfort and seamless experience of every passenger remains our utmost priority throughout this essential upgrade,” she said. “We are committed to delivering a world-class gateway that Nigeria will be proud of, and we have implemented robust temporary arrangements to ensure minimal disruption.”
Temporary Terminal anchors phased rehabilitation
Mrs Kuku said the Temporary Terminal is a critical component of FAAN’s carefully structured phased execution strategy. She explained that the overall project is divided into two major phases, allowing airport activities to continue without a total shutdown. The first phase involves the complete remodelling and rehabilitation of Terminal 1, including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, civil, and systems upgrades, while the second phase focuses on the extension of Terminal 2.
“We have promised Nigerians a new terminal, and we are meticulously working towards it,” she said. “The project includes a significant extension of Terminal Two, with an expanded finger and apron to support growing aircraft movements and passenger volumes.”
She added that the project enjoys strong political backing due to Lagos’ strategic importance to Nigeria’s economy. “The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has prioritised this project, recognising that Lagos is the nation’s premier gateway,” Mrs Kuku said. “This rehabilitation is being done for all Nigerians, to cater for the significant traffic and to build infrastructure that reflects our national aspirations.”
Beyond the terminal structure itself, FAAN has delivered complementary facilities to support Temporary Terminal operations. These include a dedicated car park, a temporary arrival and passenger pick-up area, and improved access routes designed to ease landside congestion. Mrs Kuku said accessibility considerations were deliberately integrated into the design.
“The Temporary Terminal has been designed with accessibility as a key focus,” she noted. “We have taken into account the needs of passengers with reduced mobility, the elderly, and children, because inclusivity must remain central to public infrastructure.”
Originally commissioned in 1979, the Lagos international terminal has struggled to keep pace with rising passenger volumes and evolving global aviation standards. However, the current rehabilitation and expansion effort, executed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, is designed to modernise the airport while keeping it operational. Therefore, the Temporary Terminal serves as a strategic enabler rather than a stopgap solution.
Upon completion, FAAN expects the project to significantly improve safety, security, operational efficiency, and passenger satisfaction, while strengthening Nigeria’s regional aviation competitiveness. For the authority, the Temporary Terminal represents a pivotal step in repositioning Lagos as a modern, efficient, and passenger-focused international hub.
