The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed Umar, has led an emergency on-site inspection following the fire outbreak at Terminal 1 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, moving swiftly to evaluate the impact on critical airspace infrastructure and restore operational stability.
The fire incident, which triggered immediate safety concerns within Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem, prompted a rapid response from NAMA leadership to ensure that Air Traffic Services (ATS) and essential navigation systems remained uncompromised.
Swift Executive Response
Engr. Farouk disclosed that he was presiding over a management meeting when reports of the outbreak reached him. Acting without delay, he directed the Director of Air Traffic Services, Mr. John Tayo, to proceed to the airport for an initial assessment. Shortly afterward, the NAMA chief led a high-powered delegation of directors and senior technical officials to conduct a comprehensive inspection of the affected facilities.
The visit focused on determining the status of key installations, particularly Air-to-Ground (ATG/A2G) communication systems, air traffic control infrastructure, and other sensitive equipment critical to maintaining safe and orderly flight operations within Nigerian airspace.
“Safety remains sacrosanct in airspace management. Any potential threat to operational integrity must be treated with utmost urgency,” Engr. Farouk stated during the inspection.
Temporary Suspension, Immediate Contingency Activation
As a precautionary measure, Air Traffic Services were temporarily suspended to allow for a full technical verification. However, NAMA promptly activated contingency protocols designed to minimize operational disruption.
Among the measures underway is the deployment of a mobile control tower to facilitate the seamless resumption of air traffic control services once the airspace is declared safe for reopening. The initiative underscores NAMA’s preparedness framework and its commitment to ensuring continuity in air navigation services under emergency conditions.
Minister’s Emergency Visit
The situation also attracted the attention of the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who conducted an emergency visit to the airport to assess the extent of the damage and review response efforts.
The Minister emphasized the need for strengthened inter-agency emergency response coordination across Nigeria’s aviation sector, reiterating the government’s resolve to uphold safety standards and operational resilience.
No Casualties Recorded
Engr. Farouk expressed deep gratitude that the fire incident did not result in any loss of life, describing it as a significant relief to the aviation community and the nation at large.
“The preservation of lives remains paramount. We are thankful that no casualties were recorded,” he said.
Stakeholder Assurance
Accompanying the Managing Director during the inspection were Mr. John Tayo, Director of Air Traffic Services; Engr. Ijeoma Terese Ihenachor, Director of Safety, Electronics and Engineering Services (DSEES); alongside other General Managers and technical personnel at MMIA.
NAMA assured airlines, passengers, and industry stakeholders that it is working closely with relevant aviation agencies to ensure a safe, orderly, and timely restoration of airport operations.
While investigations into the cause of the fire continue, the agency’s swift leadership response has reinforced confidence in Nigeria’s airspace management system and its ability to manage unforeseen operational challenges.
Following the fire outbreak at MMIA Terminal 1, NAMA MD Engr. Farouk Ahmed Umar led an emergency inspection, activated contingency measures, and announced plans to deploy a mobile control tower to ensure safe restoration of air traffic operations.
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