The Terminal 1 Fire Aftermath at Murtala Muhammed International Airport has drawn strong assurances from the Federal Government. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, dismissed sabotage claims and confirmed that critical weather equipment was destroyed. However, he stressed that flight operations remain stable and reconstruction plans are on course.
Speaking during an on-site inspection at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Minister urged the media to avoid speculation. He said investigations would determine the real cause of the blaze. Meanwhile, he prioritised gratitude for first responders who prevented fatalities and wider damage.
Terminal 1 Fire Aftermath: First Responders Prevent Greater Disaster
In the Terminal 1 Fire Aftermath, the Minister praised the Lagos State Fire Service and airport emergency teams. He commended the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria fire unit for swift intervention. In addition, he acknowledged senior officials who remained on ground throughout the crisis.
“We must thank those who helped save lives and ensured we did not record more damage than we already have,” Minister Keyamo said. Therefore, he insisted that appreciation must come before conspiracy theories.
According to the Minister, disaster response efforts ensured the fire was contained quickly. As a result, no life was lost during the incident.
Six Injured, No Fatalities Recorded
Addressing casualties in the Terminal 1 Fire Aftermath, Minister Keyamo confirmed that six persons sustained injuries. Four remain under medical care but are stable. Meanwhile, two others have been discharged.
He disclosed that some air traffic controllers were temporarily trapped on upper floors. Rescue teams deployed cranes to evacuate them safely. “In situations like this, the first thing we look at is loss of life. We thank God there was none,” he stated.
The Minister described the absence of fatalities as the most significant relief. However, he admitted that material losses were substantial.
Old Terminal Was Already Scheduled for Demolition
Minister Keyamo clarified that the affected structure was the old Terminal 1 building. The newer terminal remained untouched. He explained that the old facility was already marked for demolition and total rehabilitation.
“This building was about to be pulled down anyway. What this has done is hasten our movement away from it,” he said. Therefore, the fire accelerated an existing relocation plan.
According to him, airlines and operators were already preparing to vacate the ageing structure. Temporary arrangements had been completed before the incident occurred.
NiMet Equipment Completely Destroyed
A major impact in the Terminal 1 Fire Aftermath was the destruction of weather infrastructure. The Minister confirmed that facilities belonging to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency were completely damaged.
“All their equipment is gone,” Minister Keyamo stated. The NiMet office was located on the upper floors of the building.
He explained that weather-reading systems are critical for safe flight operations. However, he assured that alternative stations would provide immediate backup. Meanwhile, plans are underway to replace the destroyed installations.
Access to the fifth, sixth and seventh floors remains restricted. Engineers are still assessing structural integrity before debris clearance begins.
Flights Resume, Temporary Tower Deployed
Despite the disruption, the Terminal 1 Fire Aftermath did not ground flights for long. Operations resumed roughly one hour after containment. The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency deployed a temporary control tower to maintain traffic coordination.
“I want to assure the public that flight activities will not be disrupted in any way,” the Minister declared. In addition, mobile towers are being installed to stabilise operations fully.
Some airlines were briefly rerouted during the emergency. However, normal schedules have largely resumed.
For regulatory safety standards, the Minister noted that coordination continues with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. Further updates will be issued through official channels.
Temporary Terminal Activated
During the inspection, Minister Keyamo unveiled a newly prepared temporary check-in terminal. The facility will serve airlines formerly operating from the affected D and E wings.
He revealed that construction was completed in record time. “This fire forced us to accelerate what we had already planned,” he said. Therefore, relocation efforts are now fully operational.
However, he appealed for patience. The temporary structure has smaller capacity than the previous space. Passengers may experience congestion during peak hours.
22-Month Reconstruction Timeline
The Minister reaffirmed that full reconstruction will last approximately 22 months. He linked the project to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Sixty-something percent of travellers into Nigeria come through this airport,” Minister Keyamo stated. Therefore, he argued that the gateway must reflect national strength.
He explained that the redesign aims to transform Lagos into a competitive regional hub. Transit passengers may eventually connect without entry visas. In addition, modern infrastructure will replace obsolete systems.
Cause Under Investigation
On the fire’s cause, Minister Keyamo refused to speculate. He acknowledged unconfirmed reports suggesting an inverter installation may have been involved. However, he maintained caution.
“At my level as Minister, I cannot begin to speculate. Investigations will determine the cause,” he said.
He urged journalists to rely on official briefings. Meanwhile, agencies will conduct technical assessments before issuing final findings.
Further updates on the Terminal 1 Fire Aftermath will be published on NigerianFLIGHTDECK. Readers can follow ongoing aviation developments via our coverage at https://nigerianflightdeck.com.
In conclusion, the Terminal 1 Fire Aftermath has exposed ageing infrastructure challenges. However, authorities insist that operations remain steady and reconstruction is inevitable. As Minister Keyamo affirmed, “At the end of 22 months, Nigerians will be very proud of this gateway.”
