Members of the National Assembly have stated they will await the outcome of investigations by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) into Monday’s fire at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. FAAN Board Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, praised airport management for its swift emergency response.
The lawmakers’ statement followed an on-the-spot inspection by a joint delegation of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Aviation to assess the damage to Terminal 1. The fire destroyed the terminal wing, sparking widespread concern among aviation stakeholders and prompting visits by government officials, regulators, and lawmakers.
The delegation toured the burnt facility around 3:07 pm and held a closed-door meeting with FAAN management, led by Managing Director Olubunmi Kuku.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Abdulfatai Buhari, emphasized that the National Assembly would refrain from speculation until investigations are concluded. He expressed relief at the absence of casualties and commended the rapid stabilization of airport operations, which allowed international flights to continue with minimal disruption. Flights were diverted, including one to Malabo and Emirates to Accra, while Lufthansa and Emirates still landed past midnight.
Buhari stressed that the lawmakers would let FAAN and security agencies conclude their inquiries before making any statements on possible causes, including sabotage.
Similarly, Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, Abdullahi Garba, noted that the National Assembly would rely on official findings before taking further legislative action. He praised the Managing Director and her team for restoring stability within three hours of the fire.
Earlier, FAAN Board Chairman Ganduje expressed concern over the destruction of critical aviation equipment, including assets of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency. He noted that the fire posed a setback to ongoing aviation reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Ganduje commended over 150 firefighters for preventing fatalities and ensuring the airport remained operational despite the loss of sensitive infrastructure.
