The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has justified the ₦712.24 billion approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for the rehabilitation of Terminal One at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, stressing that the facility has outlived its 50-year lifespan.

FAAN Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, explained during a television interview that the terminal, built nearly five decades ago, has never undergone major rehabilitation, despite handling millions of passengers annually.

“This airport was built almost 50 years ago with no major upgrades. Globally, airports are improved continuously; they don’t wait half a century to act. So, the question is: do we fix it now or keep postponing?”
— Olubunmi Kuku, FAAN MD

Kuku criticised those opposing the project, noting that many of them have long complained about the poor state of the nation’s airports. She said it was contradictory to demand improved facilities while rejecting investments aimed at achieving that goal.

The FAAN boss assured Nigerians that due process was followed, as the project went through the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and received FEC ratification after a comprehensive review.

“Do you think a project of this scale would be approved without a full tender process? Certainly not. Under my leadership, due process was strictly followed,” she said.

Kuku emphasised FAAN’s commitment to transparency and accountability, promising that procurement details and project milestones would be made public.

She revealed that the rehabilitation would go beyond surface renovation, encompassing a total overhaul of Terminal One, modernisation of facilities, expansion of the apron, and construction of a new transit terminal to improve flight connectivity.

According to her, Nigeria currently lacks a functioning transit system, limiting its ability to attract connecting passengers — a gap the new project aims to address.

The upgrade will also tackle structural issues at Terminal Two, particularly the operational difficulties faced by wide-bodied aircraft, and introduce new road networks and passenger flow systems.

FAAN is already working with airlines to reroute check-in procedures and adjust flight schedules to ease congestion during the rehabilitation phase.

“Our airports are the country’s front door. For first-time visitors, investors, and business travelers, their first impression of Nigeria is through our airports,” Kuku said.
“This upgrade is about ensuring that experience matches our national image and ambitions.”