On Thursday, the Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) mandated a thorough structural audit of the terminal affected by a recent fire at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA). The incident, which interrupted airport operations earlier this week, has prompted the board's immediate response.
Abdullahi Ganduje, FAAN’s Board Chairman, expressed concern regarding the fire, yet noted that an effective emergency response mechanism ensured that no casualties occurred and that the situation was effectively managed.
The fire broke out in Terminal 1, one of Nigeria's busiest international terminals. Chairman Ganduje mentioned that board members had visited the site to evaluate the damage firsthand and reaffirmed that ensuring safety is central to FAAN’s operations.
In discussing the emergency response, Ganduje praised the efforts of FAAN's emergency teams who remained at the site until the blaze was completely extinguished. Despite some damage to equipment, he confirmed that there were no fatalities and control of the situation has been reestablished.
Investigations are currently underway to ascertain the cause of the fire. FAAN's Managing Director, Olubunmi Kuku, stated that a detailed structural evaluation would be performed to assess the integrity of the affected terminal’s infrastructure, including its electrical systems.
Kuku noted that the restoration efforts would adhere strictly to engineering safety standards, and the timeline for reopening would be contingent on receiving the necessary technical approvals.
Ganduje mentioned the importance of post-incident safety audits, particularly after such substantial disruptions to airport facilities. He added that during their site visit, the board members also inspected on-going remodeling efforts at the international terminal, which align with broader modernization goals in aviation.
He extended gratitude to the emergency responders and the media for their prompt actions and reporting surrounding the incident's management. Although the fire temporarily impacted operations, FAAN reassured that passenger safety is a priority while recovery and evaluations are in progress.
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