Amid growing public criticism over the Federal Government’s approval of ₦712.3 billion for the reconstruction and expansion of Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo has clarified the project’s scope and funding, calling it a much-needed national investment.
In a statement released on Sunday, Keyamo detailed that the funding would cover a comprehensive upgrade of the airport, including a complete overhaul of Terminal One, expansion of Terminal Two, apron improvements, new access roads, and modern infrastructure upgrades designed to bring the airport up to world-class standards.
“There are two international terminals in Lagos. Terminal One is the old building constructed in 1979, while Terminal Two—begun under President Jonathan and completed during President Buhari’s tenure—was commissioned during President Tinubu’s first month in office,” Keyamo explained.
He emphasized that Terminal One has significantly outlived its usefulness and can no longer meet the demands of increasing passenger traffic. According to him, the plan is to strip down the aging structure and redesign and rebuild it to meet international standards, affecting both Wings D and E of the facility.
On Terminal Two, the minister said the project includes expansion of the building and apron to accommodate larger aircraft and increased traffic. It will also involve construction of two ring roads and a bridge to ease access to the departure lounge.
Keyamo stressed that the project will not be financed through external borrowing but through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund—an initiative made possible through savings from fuel subsidy removal.
“This project is not backed by any loan. It’s fully funded by the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund. Nigerians will be proud of what we intend to deliver,” he said.
To ensure transparency, Keyamo announced plans to regularly invite journalists, civil society organizations, lawmakers, and members of the public to inspect the project as it progresses.
He concluded by encouraging Nigerians to compare the cost of the MMIA overhaul with similar airport upgrades worldwide, noting that the Bureau for Public Procurement had thoroughly reviewed and finalized the project cost: “They did a fantastic job for the nation.”
