Passenger processing and flight operations have resumed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos following an incident initially reported as a fire at one of the airport’s terminals.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) announced on Sunday that normal operations have been restored at Terminal 2, assuring passengers that flights are operating as scheduled.
Although FAAN’s initial statement described the incident as a fire outbreak, an official of the authority later told Nairametrics that investigations are still underway to determine the exact cause and nature of the incident.
According to FAAN, the incident occurred at Terminal 2, where the airport’s Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service (ARFFS) responded immediately to contain the situation.
“There have been no reported casualties or loss of life,” the agency said in its initial update.
In a subsequent statement, FAAN confirmed that the situation had been brought under control. “Normal operations have resumed at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, following the earlier incident. Passengers are being processed, and flight activities are continuing as scheduled.”
The latest scare adds to a series of fire-related incidents and operational disruptions recorded at Nigeria’s busiest airport in recent years.
In February 2026, FAAN reported a fire outbreak at Terminal 1 of MMIA. Emergency responders quickly contained the incident, and no casualties were recorded. Authorities later launched an investigation into its cause.
That incident came just weeks after Terminal 1 experienced a power outage linked to a fault in the airport’s changeover circuit, with backup systems deployed to restore electricity.
Earlier, in September 2023, separate fire incidents affected sections of FAAN’s accounts department and the international terminal. In April 2024, another fire at the E54 Bridge forced the temporary diversion of flight operations in part of the airport.
The incident comes as MMIA strengthens its position as one of Africa’s fastest-growing aviation hubs.
Recent industry data ranked Lagos among the continent’s 10 busiest airports by seat capacity, following a 16.7 per cent year-on-year increase in available airline seats, from 357,799 seats in June 2025 to 417,622 seats in June 2026.
Data from aviation analytics firm OAG also ranked Lagos ninth in Africa for scheduled outbound seats in August after recording a 25.6 per cent increase, equivalent to an additional 98,400 seats.
The airport is currently undergoing a N712 billion modernisation programme, which includes the rehabilitation of Terminal 1, expansion of Terminal 2, improved road access, and new passenger connection facilities designed to boost operational efficiency and improve the travel experience.
While Sunday’s incident briefly disrupted activities, the swift restoration of operations is expected to minimise its impact as authorities continue investigations into what caused the emergency.
