FG Approves ₦712bn for Lagos Airport Upgrade

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Thursday, July 31, approved ₦712 billion for the full rehabilitation, upgrade, and modernisation of International Terminal One at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, made the disclosure while addressing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at State House, Abuja.

Keyamo said the project, awarded to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), will strip the old terminal down to its structural core before rebuilding it with new mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.

The project will be executed over a period of 22 months.

“We have decided to strip it down to only the carcass and then do the complete M&E again,” he said.

Keyamo emphasised the administration’s departure from patchwork repairs towards comprehensive overhaul of key aviation facilities. FEC also approved the expansion of Terminal Two, including the construction of a new apron, access roads, bridges, and related works.

When combined with the Terminal One project, the total cost of all Lagos-related airport works amounted to ₦712.26 billion, making it one of the most significant single investments in Nigeria’s aviation sector in recent years.

In a move to improve security at the Lagos airport, the council approved a ₦49.9 billion perimeter fencing project. The 14.6-kilometre metal fence will feature an intrusion detection system, CCTV cameras, solar-powered floodlights, and a patrol road.

According to the minister, the security enhancements will include a modern command centre capable of detecting any movement near the fence in real time.

“Anyone or anything close to the fence will be detected immediately, and the location pinpointed.”

The council also approved greenlit upgrades at other key airports across the country. At Malam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano, FEC approved ₦46.39 billion for the rehabilitation of both runways and taxiways, along with an upgrade of the airfield lighting to Category Two (CAT 2) standards.

The 24-week project is expected to significantly improve operational safety and reduce weather-related flight disruptions.

Port Harcourt International Airport is also set for a runway and taxiway rehabilitation, with airfield lighting upgrades to CAT 2 standards approved at a cost of ₦42.14 billion.

In Lagos airport, airfield lighting on Runways 18 Left and 36 Right, as well as on Taxiways B and C, will be upgraded to CAT 2 LED systems under a ₦44.13 billion contract with a 30-week completion period.

To further improve operations at Lagos’ domestic wing, the council approved the reconstruction and conversion of over 82,000 square meters of apron areas.

This project, valued at ₦24.27 billion, will be carried out in phases over approximately 17 and a half months to expand aircraft parking space and ease traffic management.

In a major shift toward private sector involvement in airport management, FEC also approved the full business case for the 30-year concession of Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.

The concession includes the completion and operation of the airport’s cargo terminal by a private consortium.

The Minister said the decision was driven by the financial strain on government resources from running smaller airports.