Airport Fire and the Burden of Neglect

The fire that engulfed the old terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, last week, has reaffirmed the poor maintenance culture of public infrastructure in Nigeria, writes  Chinedu Eze

The fire incident was more than a disruptive incident at Nigeria’s busiest gateway; it was a stark reminder of a lingering national weakness, the failure to sustain and modernise public infrastructure. For hours, thick smoke curled into the Lagos skyline as emergency responders battled flames that had taken hold within a facility that has served the country since 1979. By the time the fire was contained, it had consumed critical installations and reignited debate about maintenance culture in Nigeria.

Initial reports indicated that the blaze originated from the server room on the ground floor of the five-storey structure. The suggestion of sabotage surfaced briefly in public discourse. Still, it was firmly dismissed by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who described the incident as unfortunate but not criminal. The minister’s position sought to calm speculation, yet the deeper concern remained the condition of the facility itself, an ageing terminal long overdue for comprehensive rehabilitation.

The extent of the damage was sobering. All check-in counters were destroyed. Departure hall computers were burnt beyond repair. Equipment belonging to the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet), including weather monitoring systems critical for flight safety, was wiped out. Communication and navigation systems installed by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) were also affected. In aviation, where precision and real-time data are non-negotiable, the loss of such equipment carries immediate operational consequences.

By Wednesday, air traffic controllers were grappling with limited access to timely meteorological reports, which forced adjustments to coordination procedures. NAMA had to activate contingency plans, relocating operations from the affected control tower to the Fire Service office operated by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) along Runway 18L. From that improvised location, controllers collaborated with their counterparts at the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) facility to maintain flight operations.

Though operations continued, the arrangement underscored the fragility of systems heavily dependent on ageing infrastructure. The smaller tower at the fire station offered limited visibility of certain sections of the airport, particularly the international runway, Runway 18R. Controllers relied on coordination and layered oversight to manage take-offs, landings, and aircraft ground movements. It was an emergency response that demonstrated resilience but also revealed structural vulnerabilities.

The old terminal has, over the years, developed a troubling history of fire outbreaks. A similar incident in September 2023, which affected the baggage handling area, had prompted authorities to accelerate the partial relocation of airlines to the newer Terminal 2. That terminal, constructed by China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), initially faced technical deficiencies that had to be corrected before it became fully functional. Even then, the old terminal remained active, carrying traffic far beyond its original design capacity.

When the facility commenced operations in 1979, it was projected to handle approximately 250,000 passengers annually. Decades later, passenger traffic has multiplied exponentially, reflecting Nigeria’s population growth and increased air travel demand. Yet expansion and systematic upgrades did not keep pace with usage. What followed was a gradual overstretching of systems — electrical wiring, plumbing networks, air conditioning units, and rooftop installations — all operating beyond their intended lifespan.

FAAN’s Director of Airport Operations, Captain Abdullahi Zubeir Mahmood, pointed directly to age and deferred maintenance as root causes of the recurring crises. According to him, the building has never undergone a full-scale rehabilitation since it was commissioned nearly five decades ago. Underground pipes have rusted extensively, leading to persistent plumbing issues. Electrical cables, some laid decades ago, have deteriorated and become overstressed. Over time, temporary fixes replaced long-term solutions.

The condition of the roof illustrates the cumulative neglect. Layers of antennas and equipment, installed over successive years to meet evolving communication needs, have crowded the structure. Each addition responded to immediate necessity, but collectively they burdened a building not designed for such weight and complexity. In an environment where routine upgrades are replaced by piecemeal improvisation, vulnerabilities accumulate quietly until they erupt visibly.

Recognising the gravity of the situation, the federal government earmarked N712 billion last year for the comprehensive reconstruction of the old terminal. The intention was not cosmetic refurbishment but total stripping and rebuilding — from electrical and plumbing systems to air conditioning and structural components. Monday’s fire, though tragic, has accelerated that timetable. Debris clearance and reconstruction preparations are expected to proceed swiftly.

Minister Keyamo acknowledged the irony that the affected structure was already slated for demolition and rebuilding. While he refrained from describing the incident as fortunate, he noted that the fire did not impact the newer terminal. He also confirmed that temporary arrangements had been made to relocate airlines and agencies operating from the old building. The incident, he said, would hasten the transition process.

One of the more dramatic aspects of the incident was the rescue of air traffic controllers trapped on the upper floors during the fire. Many were evacuated using cranes as smoke thickened within the building. That no life was lost remains the most relieving outcome of an otherwise damaging episode. Equipment can be replaced; human lives cannot.

Still, the broader implications extend beyond the airport. The Lagos fire is emblematic of a systemic issue affecting public infrastructure nationwide. Roads deteriorate long before scheduled rehabilitation. Power installations operate beyond safe limits. Water systems leak for years without an overhaul. The airport incident unfolded in a high-visibility environment, drawing national attention to a culture where maintenance is often reactive rather than preventive.

Infrastructure development does not end at commissioning. It demands sustained investment, regular auditing, and timely replacement of ageing components. In the absence of these practices, facilities built with significant public funds gradually decline into liabilities. The old terminal’s history illustrates this pattern. What began as a proud symbol of Nigeria’s aviation ambition gradually became a patchwork of repairs layered upon outdated systems.

There is also a governance dimension. Budgetary allocations for maintenance frequently compete with demands for new projects. Politically, ribbon-cutting ceremonies attract more visibility than routine servicing. Yet the long-term cost of neglect far exceeds the price of preventive care. Fires, shutdowns, and emergency relocations disrupt operations and erode public confidence.

As reconstruction plans advance, the opportunity now exists to reset standards. Modern materials, energy-efficient systems, advanced fire detection technologies, and streamlined installations can transform the site into a safer, more durable facility. However, physical rebuilding alone will not solve the deeper problem. What must accompany it is a cultural shift — an institutional commitment to regular inspection, timely upgrades, and transparent accountability.

Nigeria’s aviation sector has made progress in safety oversight and regulatory reforms. The resilience displayed by controllers and emergency responders during the fire reflects professionalism within the system. But resilience should not become a substitute for reliability. The goal of infrastructure management is not merely to respond effectively to crises but to minimise their occurrence.

The smoke that rose above the old Lagos terminal has now cleared, but its message lingers. A nation aspiring to regional leadership cannot afford to allow its critical assets to decay through inattention. The airport fire stands as a warning not only about ageing cables and rusted pipes, but also about the consequences of delaying necessary action.

In the coming months, as demolition and reconstruction proceed, attention will turn to timelines, contractor performance, and funding flows. Yet beyond those metrics lies a larger question: will this moment trigger a sustained change in maintenance philosophy across public institutions? If it does, the fire may yet yield a constructive legacy. If not, it risks becoming another episode in a recurring cycle of damage and repair.

For now, flight operations continue under temporary arrangements, passengers adjust to new terminals, and authorities promise a modern replacement. The challenge is to ensure that when the new structure rises, it does not inherit the old habits.