Nigeria Plans Rail Link Between Lagos Airport Terminals As Keyamo Unveils $500m MMIA Modernisation Project
The Federal Government has unveiled plans to integrate rail connectivity across Lagos airport terminals, linking the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), and the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), as part of efforts to improve passenger movement and strengthen Lagos’ position as a regional aviation hub.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed the development during his keynote address at the opening ceremony of the Invest Lagos 3.0 Summit held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
According to a statement issued by his spokesperson, Tunde Moshood, the proposed rail integration forms part of broader collaboration between the Federal Government and the Lagos State Government to deepen multimodal transportation infrastructure within the state.
“The Minister further announced plans to improve multimodal connectivity to the airport through the extension of the Lagos rail network,” the statement said.
It added: “He disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development is collaborating closely with the Lagos State Government to extend the rail line from Ikeja through the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), MM2 terminal and onward to the international terminal, significantly improving passenger movement and accessibility.”
Keyamo said the project is designed to ease movement within the airport complex, reduce travel friction for passengers and improve integration between different modes of transportation.
“Lagos is ready for the next big step in aviation development. The rail extension project will further enhance connectivity and support the state’s growing status as a regional aviation hub,” the minister said.
Highlighting Lagos’ strategic role in Nigeria’s aviation sector, Keyamo noted that approximately 67 per cent of international passengers entering the country pass through Lagos, describing the state as naturally positioned to serve as a major aviation gateway.
According to him, Lagos enjoys geographical advantages that place Europe, the Middle East, Southern Africa and South America within roughly six hours’ flying distance.
The minister also announced that President Bola Tinubu had approved a $500 million investment for the comprehensive modernisation and reconstruction of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
He said the 22-month project is expected to transform the ageing airport infrastructure into a modern aviation facility while improving operational efficiency across terminals.
The upgrade, according to the minister, will include expansion and rehabilitation of terminal buildings, construction of new access roads, installation of a skywalk linking critical airport facilities, and development of a temporary departure hall to minimise disruption during construction.
Keyamo said the reforms are also aimed at strengthening investor confidence and attracting greater private sector participation in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
He pointed to recent dispute resolutions within the sector as evidence of a more investment-friendly environment and encouraged investors to explore opportunities in federal airport infrastructure projects, including a proposed airport along the Lekki corridor.
The minister further stated that Nigeria’s aviation sector still possesses significant untapped investment opportunities, with ongoing government reforms focused on ensuring long-term sustainability and growth.
The dispute referenced by Keyamo relates to the long-running concession disagreement between the Federal Government and Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, operators of MMA2, which was resolved through a negotiated settlement announced in April 2026 after nearly two decades of legal and commercial disputes.
Under the agreement, Bi-Courtney waived its N132 billion judgment debt claim and relinquished its rights over the old domestic terminal, MM1.
The settlement also removed the exclusivity clause that had restricted private airport development in Lagos.
In addition, the Federal Government returned the uncompleted hotel and conference centre opposite MMA2 to Bi-Courtney for completion within 24 months under a shared revenue arrangement.
The agreement further provides for expansion of the MMA2 apron, possible relocation of regional flight operations to MMA2 subject to available capacity, and a revised revenue-sharing structure that would enable the Federal Government to earn income from MMA2 operations.
Keyamo stated that outstanding technical and commercial details, including operational modalities and fuel-related charges, would be finalised during a formal signing ceremony in Lagos involving stakeholders such as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
The rail integration initiative comes as the Federal Government advances the N712 billion, equivalent to about $500 million, modernisation of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, a project aviation experts say reflects global airport modernisation standards and addresses decades of underinvestment at Nigeria’s busiest aviation hub.
Boluwatife Enome
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