MMIA Fire: Ganduje Tours Burnt MMA1, Applauds Kuku’s Swift Response and Terminal Upgrade

 The Chairman of the Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, on Tuesday led board members and senior management to the scene of the recent fire outbreak at the MMA1 terminal of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, declaring that safety remains the authority’s non-negotiable core value.
The high-level inspection followed public concern over the blaze that affected sensitive airport infrastructure. Ganduje, who was accompanied by the Managing Director/Chief Executive of FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, and other top officials, addressed journalists after touring the affected sections and the remodeled temporary terminal facility.
“Safety Is Our Core Value”
Opening his remarks, Ganduje acknowledged the gravity of the incident.
“There is no doubt that when we had the fire outbreak at the international airport here in Lagos, it was an issue of great concern. Our core value in FAAN is safety — the safety of employees, passengers, equipment, and critical infrastructure,” he said.
He noted that the board deemed it necessary to conduct an on-the-spot assessment.
“We decided to be here ourselves because seeing is believing. We have seen the damage.”
Although investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing, the Chairman confirmed that some highly sensitive equipment was destroyed. However, he emphasized that no lives were lost in the incident.
“No death has been reported. The situation is under control, though it is unfortunate.”
150 Firefighters, Zero Casualties
In what he described as a testament to operational readiness, Ganduje commended the FAAN management team and emergency responders for containing the fire swiftly.
He revealed that over 150 firefighters were mobilized to the scene and remained on ground until the blaze was completely extinguished.
“We must congratulate the Managing Director and her management team, especially the firefighters — over 150 of them — who stayed until the fire was completely put out.”
He added that the rapid response significantly limited damage and prevented what could have escalated into a major aviation crisis.
The FAAN Chairman also praised the media for providing timely information to the public, noting that responsible reporting helped reassure Nigerians when the fire was brought under control.
Aviation Reform Tested
Ganduje admitted that the incident posed a momentary challenge to ongoing aviation sector reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. However, he stressed that the speed with which flight operations resumed demonstrated institutional resilience.
“Few hours after the incident, operations resumed. That shows the dexterity of the MD and her team. There was full coordination among stakeholders in the aviation sector. Each authority did what it was supposed to do, and disruption was very limited.”
Industry observers note that the quick restoration of operations helped avert significant economic losses and passenger backlog at Nigeria’s busiest international gateway.
A Silver Lining: World-Class Terminal Remodeling
Beyond inspecting the damaged facility, Ganduje also toured the remodeled temporary international terminal at MMIA — and expressed visible admiration.
“It is a beautiful place. I initially thought I was in one of the well-developed international airports abroad. I am happy to see that I am in Nigeria, in Lagos. The work is quality. The work is beautiful.”
He described the remodeling project as a major milestone in Nigeria’s aviation modernization agenda and expressed optimism that the facility would soon become fully operational.
According to him, finishing touches are being applied, and the terminal is expected to be ready within days.
Reflection: Resilience Amid Crisis
The inspection visit served as both a fact-finding mission and a public reassurance exercise. While the fire incident highlighted infrastructure vulnerabilities, it also demonstrated improved emergency coordination, rapid crisis management, and ongoing commitment to reform.
For FAAN leadership, the message was clear: safety audits, restoration of damaged equipment, and preventive measures will be intensified to guard against future occurrences.
As Nigeria pushes forward with aviation infrastructure upgrades, the MMA1 fire stands as both a challenge and a reminder — that modernization must go hand in hand with robust safety systems.
For passengers and stakeholders, the swift containment and zero casualty record provide reassurance that despite setbacks, the nation’s aviation ecosystem is evolving with resilience and reform at its core.
FAAN Chairman Ganduje visits the MMA1 fire site at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, commends rapid emergency response, confirms zero casualties, and applauds ongoing terminal modernization efforts.