The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has confirmed that a fire at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos destroyed its air-to-ground communication equipment.
However, the agency assured that the nation’s airspace remains safe and operations continue through backup systems.
NAMA Managing Director, Engr. Umar Ahmed Farouk, stated that the agency immediately deployed directors of operations and engineering to the scene and activated contingency measures to maintain air traffic services.
“It was a huge loss as far as communication is concerned, and other air traffic services were really disrupted,” Farouk said.
He explained that communication, aerodrome approach, and air traffic control systems remain operational via backup facilities.
“The fire has affected our air-to-ground equipment, but we were able to sustain operations with backup facilities. By next week, a mobile tower will be in place,” he added.
Farouk noted that the agency is still assessing the financial impact of the incident.
He commended NAMA personnel for their prompt and courageous response, highlighting that some staff risked their lives to contain the situation.
“Some of them actually put their lives in danger. They were supposed to run and leave their positions, but they stayed to salvage the situation,” he said.
The fire, which occurred on Monday, also damaged equipment belonging to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) housed in the same facility.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has announced plans to demolish the affected terminal and reconstruct it.
