Flights Diverted Out Of Lagos As Fire Engulfs Murtala Muhammed International Airport

No fewer than four flights were diverted out of Lagos on Monday as serious fire outbreak engulfed the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Old Terminal.

Also, at least six persons were seriously injured and taken to a hospital as a result of the incident, which started at the server room of the airport.

Speaking on the incident, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Olubunmi Kuku, said that the collaborative efforts of other sister agencies helped to contain spread of the fire, which began at few minutes past 3pm.

She also said that 12 Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) who were trapped as a result of the fire incident were later rescued.
According to her, some of the diverted flights included British Airways, Lufthansa and Emirates.
The flights were diverted to Abuja and Malabo in Equatorial Guinea.

She furry expressed that the fire incident started from the ground floor of the airport, but said the cause of the outbreak was unknown as of the time of the briefing.

She explained that FAAN had activated the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and assured that the inferno would finally be put out in the next few hours, while flight services would resume immediately.
She said: “But I think what is critical is to make sure that the fire itself is controlled. Of course, investigations are ongoing. We were able to activate our emergency operating procedures and get everybody out of the building with no fatality due to all of the coordination done by sister agencies.
” In terms of all of the agencies that are coordinating, we do have standard procedures for all the agencies that are involved. And it differs by state, so that we get support from the states as well.

“British Airways was diverted to Abuja while Lufthansa to Malabo and, of course, Emirates flight. However, for travelling passengers, please note that in the next half an hour, our operations will be back up and running. So it’s okay to come into the airport if you have flight operations in the next couple of hours or in the next couple of days.”

However, it was learnt that the fire outbreak was caused by electrical faults from the server room before it escalated to other parts of the terminal.
The fire was contained by the firefighters from FAAN with assistance from the Lagos State Fire Service, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigeria Police.

The source said: “Our findings show that the fire was caused by an electrical fault from the server room at the terminal. As you are aware, work is ongoing at the terminal, but I believe FAAN will critically investigate the fire incident.

“So far, we have been able to contain it through the assistance of other sister agencies like the Lagos State fire service, FRSC, NSCDC, police and others. However, the incident will not affect the ongoing work at the terminal.”

Earlier, FAAN in a statement by its Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, confirmed the incident.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) had in August approved the sum of N712 billion for the full rehabilitation, upgrade, and modernisation of the terminal.

The project, awarded to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), is expected to strip the old terminal down to its structural core before rebuilding it with new mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.

The project, funded entirely through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, is expected to be executed over a period of 22 months.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, had said: “We have decided to strip it down to only the carcass and then do the complete M&E again.”

He emphasised the administration’s departure from patchwork repairs towards comprehensive overhaul of key aviation facilities.

  

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Lagos Jerks Up BRT Fares By 13 Percent

The Lagos state government has approved a 13 per cent increase in fares across Bus Reform Initiative (BRI) schemes, including Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and standard routes.

This was made known in a statement by the state government.

The statement said operators were also investing in newer, cleaner and more fuel-efficient buses to improve service delivery, enhance passenger comfort

and promote environmental sustainability.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu granted the approval, following appeals by regulated public transport operators, who cited rising operational costs and concerns

over the sustainability of transit services amid prevailing economic pressures.

The revised fare structure will take effect from March 2.

The government said the adjustment was intended to cushion the impact of sustained economic challenges on public transport operations, adding that it aligned

with the state’s approved annual fare review mechanism.

The statement said the review was necessitated by persistent inflationary trends, noting that Nigeria’s inflation rate closed 2025 at 15.2 per cent, according

to data from the National Bureau of Statistics.

Bus Operating Companies (BOCs), the government said, had continued to grapple with increased costs, including vehicle maintenance, spare parts and workers’

salaries, particularly following the implementation of the new national minimum wage.

The government reassured commuters of its commitment to balancing affordability with the need to provide safe, reliable and efficient public transportation

across the state.

  

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We Are Not Selling Tickets For Lagos–São Paulo Direct Flight - Air Peace

Air Peace has dismissed claims that it sold tickets or stranded Nigerians in connection with the proposed Lagos–São Paulo direct flight, insisting that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently signed between the Nigerian and Brazilian governments was not a flight launch, but a framework to deepen bilateral aviation cooperation.

The airline, in a statement on Friday, described the reports as false, misleading and deliberately sensational.

The statement denied allegations that it connived with the Federal Government to deceive the public over the commencement of the route.

The airline insisted that no tickets were ever sold, no booking platform was opened and no flight date was announced for the Lagos–São Paulo service, stressing that it was therefore impossible for passengers to have been stranded.

“An MoU is a statement of intent. It is not a ticket sale, a flight schedule, or a guarantee of immediate commencement of operations,” the airline added.

It expressed that international long-haul routes required extensive regulatory and operational approvals before operations could begin.

These approvals, it said, included the implementation of Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) frameworks, authorisation from Brazil’s civil aviation authority, airport slot allocations in São Paulo, safety and insurance certifications, as well as aircraft deployment and route-viability assessments.

On fleet availability, the airline declared that it had the capacity to operate the route, noting that it currently operates four Boeing 777-200/300 aircraft, while two of the aircraft are deployed on its London Heathrow and London Gatwick routes and the remaining two are available for other long-haul destinations, including São Paulo, once all regulatory and commercial processes are completed.

Besides, the statement denied making any binding commitment to a specific start date for the route, adding that international route development often takes several years.

It gave an example of its London service, which it said took about seven years from conception to accomplish.

The airline further rejected suggestions that the MoU would automatically lead to reduced international airfares, stating that it did not control global airline pricing or foreign carriers.

“The allegations are an attempt to undermine the airline and discredit the Federal Government,” it added.

The airline noted that preparations for the Lagos–São Paulo route began in 2024 and that it had been engaging Nigerian aviation authorities, the Brazilian government, and other stakeholders to bring the service to reality.

 

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Sexual Harassment In Public Transport: LAMATA Launches Campaign Against Offenders

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority has unveiled a new campaign aimed at tackling sexual harassment across public transport systems in Lagos

The campaign, tagged ‘Soro Soke’ (Speak Up), was unveiled during a stakeholders’ engagement held at LAMATA’s headquarters.

“The initiative seeks to improve commuter safety and promote a gender-equitable and inclusive transport system, particularly for female passengers.

“With the ‘Soro Soke’ campaign, LAMATA reinforces its resolve to make Lagos public transport safer, more inclusive, and responsive, ensuring that every voice matters and every commuter is protected,” LAMATA said.

The engagement formed part of EMPOWER Project 3, which focuses on addressing sexual harassment in informal transport spaces.

The project is funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and managed by the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie).

According to LAMATA, the EMPOWER initiative is designed to strengthen the capacity of transport professionals while prioritising the safety and dignity of women who rely on public transport.

Speaking at the event, the state Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, commended LAMATA for its sustained implementation of the EMPOWER programme over the past five years.

He stressed the importance of breaking the culture of silence surrounding sexual harassment and urged victims and witnesses to report incidents.

In her remarks, the Managing Director of LAMATA, Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, reaffirmed LAMATA’s commitment to sustaining the campaign, noting that the Authority would continue to collaborate with relevant agencies to ensure safer transport environments for all commuters.

Key outcomes of the engagement include plans to increase surveillance through the deployment of additional LNSC personnel at more Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) stations and terminals, as well as enhanced advocacy through the rollout of the ‘Soro Soke’ campaign.

The campaign encourages reporting through QR codes placed at transport hubs across the state.

LAMATA said the initiative reinforces its resolve to make public transport in Lagos safer, more inclusive, and responsive to the needs of all commuters.

The event featured a panel that included Osiyemi, Akinajo, and the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi.

 

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248 Passengers, 12 Crew Members Cheat Death As Qatar Airline Aircraft Makes Emergency Landing At Murtala Muhammed International Airport 248 Passengers, 12 Crew Members Cheat Death As Qatar

No fewer than 248 passengers and 12 crew members narrowly escaped death after a Qatar Airways aircraft developed a technical fault mid-air and was forced to make an emergency landing at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency confirmed that the aircraft, which was fully loaded with 248 passengers and 12 crew members, encountered the problem while airborne within Nigerian airspace, triggering distress alerts and an immediate emergency response.

According to a preliminary report by LASEMA, the agency said it activated the state’s emergency response plan immediately upon receiving the distress call through its 767/112 toll-free emergency lines.

Emergency landings are initiated when unplanned faults occur mid-flight. Through pilots’ distress signals to the control tower, such aircraft are guided to make a safe landing.

The report, which was signed by the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, stated that, “Following distress alerts received at the Command and Control Centre in Alausa, Ikeja, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency promptly activated the State’s Emergency Response Plans.”

The Permanent Secretary reassured the public of the agency’s readiness to respond to emergencies, noting that the swift, coordinated response helped avert what could have been a major aviation disaster.

Eyewitnesses at the airport described tense moments as emergency responders lined the runway, while passengers on board braced for an unexpected landing.

LASEMA explained that upon arrival at the scene, its Lagos Response Team discovered that the aircraft had already conducted a forced landing due to technical issues.

The report noted, “Preliminary investigations revealed that the immediate cause of the incident was technical issues suffered by the distressed aircraft.”

The agency, however, commended the pilot for his professionalism, successfully bringing the aircraft down safely while emergency teams stood by on “extreme high alert.”

“The pilot executed a safe landing on the runway at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport with LASEMA response teams and other emergency responders on standby,” the agency stated.

After landing, the aircraft was thoroughly checked by the pilot and engineering crew before being moved to the apron for detailed inspection and necessary repairs. All passengers were safely evacuated, with no injuries recorded.

“All passengers of the distressed aircraft were evacuated safely, and no casualties were reported,” LASEMA confirmed.

The agency further said that despite the frightening incident, there was no significant damage to the aircraft.

Providing an update on the situation, LASEMA disclosed that the aircraft has since been secured and recovery operations concluded.

“The aircraft has been secured on the apron, recovery activities have been completed, and the rescue operation has been safely concluded,” the statement read.

LASEMA added that emergency responders at the scene included LASEMA’s Command and Control Centre, LASAMBUS, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.

The spokesperson of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Michael Achimugu, also confirmed the incident.

He said, “I can confirm that there was an air return. Details will be communicated later.”

 

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Traffic To Be Diverted For 18 Weeks For Mazamaza Bridge Repair Works - Transport Commissioner

The Lagos State Government has released a traffic diversion plan ahead of maintenance works on the expansion joints and bridge elements of Mazamaza Bridge along the Lagos–Badagry carriageway.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, announced the traffic plan in a statement.

Osiyemi said the maintenance work, which would be on both the service lane and toll lane (both inbound and outbound) would commence from Monday, Jan. 19, to Thursday, May 28 (18 weeks).

Assuring motorists of adequate traffic management during the rehabilitation work, he said that at no stage would the bridge be fully closed.

“Instead, traffic will be managed through strategic diversions between the toll lane, BRT lane, and service lane.

“The rehabilitation works will be done in phases with the preliminary phase expected to commence from Saturday, Jan. 24 to Friday, Jan. 30 (one week).

“Phases one to four expected to cover the entire stretch of Mazamaza Bridge on both service and toll lane (inbound Badagry) is from Saturday, Jan. 31 to Monday, March 30 (eight weeks).

“Phases five to eight expected to cover the stretch of Mazamaza Bridge on both service and toll lane (inbound Lagos), is expected to commence from Tuesday, March 31 to Tuesday, June 2 (nine weeks),” he said.

Osiyemi noted that in view of the above, Mazamaza Bridge—on both the inbound and outbound Lagos-Badagry Carriageway—would be temporarily and partially closed to traffic during ongoing repairs.

He said that traffic would be redirected along the designated diversion routes.

Osiyemi said for phases one and two: Badagry bound traffic (repair on the toll lane), during ongoing construction all traffic would be temporarily redirected to the BRT corridor.

“Motorists will exit the BRT corridor and rejoin the toll lane 50 metres past the work zone to continue their journey.

“During construction on the BRT corridor, vehicles will be redirected to the toll lane, and regain access back to the BRT corridor 50m away from the proposed working area to continue their journeys,” he said.

For Phases three and four: Badagry bound traffic (repair on the service lane), he said vehicular traffic would continue through but, as vehicles approached the planned work zone on Mazamaza Bridge, they would be redirected to one of the two available lanes.

Osiyemi added that they would regain full access to the road after the proposed work zone to continue their journeys.

He said after finishing maintenance on the expansion joint of Mazamaza Bridge heading towards Badagry, the work would move to the opposite side of the bridge, this time for the lane coming into Lagos.

The commissioner said that during phases five and six of the project, Lagos-bound traffic would be diverted to the BRT corridor while repairs are carried out on the toll lane

“Vehicles will exit via the BRT Corridor and rejoin the toll lane 50 meters past the construction site to continue their journey.

“During BRT corridor construction, traffic will be rerouted onto the toll lane, and motorists will regain access back to the BRT corridor 50m away from the proposed working area to continue their journey,” he said.

He noted that during phases seven and eight, while repair work is carried out on the Lagos-bound service lane, vehicles would still be able to move, but traffic approaching the work zone on Mazamaza Bridge would be reduced from two lanes to one

“Motorists will regain full access to the road after the proposed work zone to continue their journeys,” he said.

Osiyemi urged motorists to follow traffic signs and the instructions of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officers and other relevant authorities to help ensure smooth movement during the rehabilitation phases.

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6 Die, 4 Rescued In Boat Mishap Along Lagos Waterways

A boat accident along the Nigerdock axis of the Igbologun water channel has claimed the lives of six passengers . Four other passengers were rescued in the fatal mishap. The incident, which  occurred Tuesday evening, at approximately 8:35 pm, involved a Savvy Marine passenger boat en-route Ilashe Beach House. 

The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) confirmed the incident in a joint statement signed by NIWA Head of Public Affairs, Wuraola Alake, and LASWA Head of Corporate Affairs, Omowunmi Yussuff.

Upon receiving a distress alert, both agencies activated their Search and Rescue (SAR) teams, which coordinated closely with the Marine Police and other first responders.

“As of this report, four passengers have been rescued and are receiving medical attention at a nearby hospital. Sadly, six others were recovered dead at the scene. Search and rescue operations are ongoing to account for all persons involved,” the statement read.

Preliminary findings suggest the mishap may have been caused by a collision with a submerged object, though investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause.

The authorities assured the public that a thorough investigation will be conducted and updates will be provided as more information emerges. LASWA and NIWA also expressed condolences to the families of the victims and reiterated their commitment to safety on Lagos Inland Waterways.

They emphasized strict adherence to safety regulations, including proper navigation practices and compliance with the “No Night Travel” rule, and advised the public to rely only on verified information from official sources.

 

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Lagos To Get A Boost In Electric Vehicles Infrastructure In 2026 With Installation Of 250 Charging Points

Lagos is set to witness an expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the State with the installation of over 250 charging points, alongside the establishment of a local assembly plant for street lighting infrastructure in 2026. This initiative is coming from LUG West Africa, a company focused on smart city development.

This was disclosed at the company’s 2025 end-of-year party held in Lagos on Monday. The event was attended by the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; the Ogun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat; as well as other government officials and industry stakeholders, among others.

According to the company, the expansion is aimed at supporting the growing adoption of electric vehicles in Nigeria while reducing dependence on imported street lighting components.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman and Managing Director of LUG West Africa, Imran Hamzat, said the firm had been working with its international partners to integrate solar-powered street lighting systems with EV charging infrastructure.

He said, “Nigeria has witnessed a significant rise in electric vehicle adoption. Between 2020 and 2025, the country recorded an estimated 400 per cent increase in electric vehicles.”

He noted that global projections suggest that by 2030, electric vehicles could account for about 10 per cent of vehicles on Nigerian roads.

According to him, Nigeria currently has over 11 million vehicles, and “an eight per cent adoption rate would translate to approximately 850,000 electric vehicles,” a development he said would create strong demand for public charging infrastructure.

Hamzat explained that “not all EV owners will be able to charge their vehicles at home,” making roadside and public charging points essential to prevent breakdowns and ensure smooth mobility.

He further disclosed that LUG West Africa has already installed over 50,000 solar-powered street lights across Lagos State, providing what he described as “a strong foundation for integrating EV charging solutions.”

“Each electric vehicle requires about 240 volts to achieve an hour of charging capable of covering approximately 40 miles, roughly the distance between Lagos and Abeokuta,” he said.

He explained that by integrating seven monocrystalline solar panels, each producing 36 volts, “the system can generate sufficient power to charge one electric vehicle, covering an estimated 200-metre stretch of roadway.”

Based on this infrastructure model, Hamzat said, “Lagos State alone can conveniently support an average of 250 EV charging stations. 250 charging stations across Lagos State would be sufficient to support the projected number of electric vehicles nationwide.”

He added that the company already has “a working prototype and expects to produce a test sample by 2026.”

On the scope of the project, Hamzat said the initiative is designed to be pan-Nigeria. “We are collaborating with our global partners to roll out this solution nationwide.”

He also confirmed that LUG West Africa is currently constructing an assembly plant in Lagos. “The plant will be used to assemble street lighting systems and manufacture components for EV charging stations.”

The end-of-year event also served as a platform to recognise staff members for dedication and outstanding performance across various departments. The celebration ended with the presentation of cash rewards and gifts, with prizes ranging from N100,000 to N600,000. Ten solar-powered fans were distributed, while one guest emerged as the winner of the N600,000 grand prize.

 

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How Air Peace's Brand New Aircraft Was Damaged At Murtala Muhammed International Airport

Flight operations of Air Peace were disrupted over the weekend after its newly acquired Embraer 195-E2 aircraft was damaged by ground handling equipment operated by the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Plc at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA,.

A source close to the airline confirmed the incident.

The aircraft, which was scheduled to operate Flight P47750 from Lagos to Accra, was reportedly struck by a luggage conveyor belt vehicle operated by the handling company shortly after passengers had boarded.

The aircraft, with registration number 5N-BYH, sustained damage to its thrust reverser cowling, a component of the engine casing, following the impact.

As a precautionary safety measure, the aircraft was immediately grounded, and all passengers on board were asked to disembark.

The incident resulted in operational delays and disruption of flight schedules, as the affected aircraft had been programmed to operate multiple sectors for the day.

Industry sources confirmed that no fewer than nine flights assigned to the aircraft were impacted, with passengers experiencing delays or being rebooked on alternative flights.

The Embraer 195-E2 is part of Air Peace’s recently delivered fleet, making the incident significant given the high cost associated with inspections and repairs involving modern aircraft engines.

No injuries were recorded in the incident.

Meanwhile, investigations are expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the collision, including the condition of the ground handling equipment and compliance with standard operating procedures.

A source close to NAHCO also confirmed the incident, noting that the company’s top management was aware of the development and visited the scene on Friday morning.

NCAA director Michael Achimugu also confirmed the development on his official X account on Friday.

“Passengers were already boarded when a ground handler’s conveyor belt hit the aircraft, causing damage to the engine cover,” Achimugu wrote.

“Passengers had to be deboarded. The aircraft was scheduled to fly nine sectors. All passengers waiting for its operations are automatically disrupted, and the airline will face backlash, refund issues, compensation, etc, for a damage that was not its fault, and it would spend large sums of foreign currency to fix.

“The other time, it was a bird strike that cost (by the airline’s admission), over three million dollars to fix. It took an entire month for the airline manufacturer to send them the replacement for the “engine cowling dent.”

“Today’s aircraft was one of the brand new E2’s, and it was fully booked until January 15th, 2026. Now, all innocent passengers booked for its operations will experience one delay or cancellation.

“But airlines will not throw other service providers under the bus. They will simply announce “technical/operational reasons” and then they would bear, not just the anger of justifiably aggravated passengers, but the consequences per Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023.”

Speaking further, Achimugu said Air Peace has suffered a lot of these technical issues through no fault of theirs.

He spoke about the need to start naming and shaming poorly trained ground handling personnel whose inefficiency costs the airlines great reputational, financial, and technical damage.

Achimugu added that the NCAA will now be looking to strengthen the regulations in a way that also heavily sanctions service providers for matters like the type in the images below.

According to him, airlines should not be held responsible for situations like this, and passengers should be informed, most honestly, about the reasons for disruptions caused by these unfortunate scenarios.

“I do hope that there is enough insurance to cover the cost of losses like this one,” Achimugu said.

“In advance, I call for the understanding of passengers who were scheduled to fly this aircraft. I have asked about standby aircraft. The airline has two (which is commendable), but those two have been deployed to cover two other similar situations. In any case, even if they were available, their sitting capacities are less than the damaged E2.

“These are some of the behind-the-scene situations that make airlines seem culpable. We must educate more, and ensure to unbundle the facts so that the industry does not continue to seem like a secret coven that swallows information behind layers of cover-ups.

“To Air Peace, and indeed all domestic operators, I empathize with you in moments like this.

“Thankfully, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ensured that access to forex is not longer as difficult as it used to be. I know that this does not mitigate the costs of repairs, neither does it make up for the lost time and possible profits, but I salute your resoluteness in keeping the business running. May Nigeria succeed.”

 

 

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