The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has ordered the management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and other relevant aviation agencies to reconvene at the airport for a joint inspection of Terminal 1 following the fire outbreak at the facility.
The directive comes in the wake of an inferno that engulfed Terminal 1 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, forcing the diversion of three international flights operated by British Airways, Lufthansa, and Emirates.
Although airport operations were later restored and an aircraft operated by Ethiopian Airlines became the first to depart at about 7:26 p.m., the Minister was said to have travelled from Abuja to Lagos due to the seriousness of the incident.
In a statement issued at midnight, FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, disclosed that Keyamo arrived at the airport around 11:50 p.m. and immediately joined the Managing Director and management team of FAAN, who were still coordinating emergency response efforts.
According to the statement, the Minister commended FAAN personnel and first responders for their swift activation of established emergency protocols, noting that their prompt and coordinated actions were crucial in safeguarding lives and limiting damage to airport infrastructure.
Keyamo subsequently directed FAAN and all relevant aviation agencies to reconvene at the airport by 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, for a comprehensive inspection and evaluation of Terminal 1. The exercise, he said, is aimed at guiding recovery efforts and ensuring that all operational and safety standards are fully maintained.
