MMIA fire: Flights, passenger processing resume at Lagos airport after Terminal 2 incident
By Aboki Forex —
Passenger processing and flight operations have resumed at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, after an incident initially reported as a fire. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed this in statements on its official X account on Sunday.
FAAN said the incident occurred at Terminal 2 and that its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service (ARFFS) responded immediately. An official of the authority told Nairametrics that investigations are still ongoing.
What happened
FAAN initially described the event as a fire outbreak. In its first statement, the authority said: “The FAAN Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service (ARFFS) is currently responding to the incident and working diligently to contain the situation. There have been no reported casualties or loss of life.”
A later update read: “Normal operations have resumed at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, following the earlier incident. Passengers are being processed, and flight activities are continuing as scheduled.”
Recent incidents at MMIA
The latest incident is part of a pattern of fire-related disruptions at the airport. In February 2026, FAAN reported a fire outbreak at Terminal 1, with emergency responders deployed. No casualties were recorded, and the authority said it was investigating the cause.
That incident came weeks after Terminal 1 experienced a power outage, which FAAN blamed on a fault in the changeover circuit before backup measures restored services. In September 2023, two separate fire incidents affected parts of FAAN’s facilities, including sections of the accounts department and the international terminal. In April 2024, a fire at the E54 Bridge led to the temporary diversion of flight operations in one section of the airport.
Why MMIA remains critical
Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport is Nigeria’s busiest aviation gateway. It recently ranked among Africa’s 10 busiest airports by seat capacity after recording the continent’s fastest year-on-year growth. The airport saw a 16.7% increase in airline seat capacity, rising from 357,799 seats in June 2025 to 417,622 seats in June 2026.
OAG data for August also ranked Lagos ninth among Africa’s largest airports by scheduled outbound seats after recording a 25.6% increase, equivalent to an additional 98,400 seats. The airport is currently undergoing a N712 billion modernization project that includes the rehabilitation of Terminal 1, expansion of Terminal 2, improved road access, and new connecting facilities.
The quick return to normal operations at Terminal 2 and the ongoing upgrade underline MMIA’s position as Nigeria’s primary gateway for trade and travel. Any disruption at the airport affects passengers, cargo and business confidence, so authorities need to establish the cause of Sunday’s incident.