The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, today officiated the unveiling of the newly remodeled E-Wing at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing modernization of Nigeria’s airport infrastructure.
The renovation is part of a broader initiative endorsed by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to revamp the country’s airports in collaboration with private sector partners, despite limited resources.
Keyamo commended the partnership between FAAN and the concessionaires, especially Hussling, which has worked alongside the United Bank for Africa (UBA) on the project.
“This remodelled E-Wing is an outcome of our collaboration with Hussling and UBA. The new design includes modern lighting, upgraded flooring, and more prominent advertising displays, all aimed at improving the passenger experience”.
“This is just the beginning. Next, we will focus on other parts of the airport, including the D-Wing’s departure and arrival areas.”
In his address, Keyamo also touched on improvements in airport conduct, referencing a recent light-hearted comment he made regarding the issue of subtle extortion by airport staff.
“While it was a joke, the message is serious. It’s about maintaining a good image for the country and its institutions. We have seen improvements, and we are committed to continuing that progress.”
Keyamo highlighted that there has been a marked reduction in harassment at the airport, citing positive feedback from passengers.
He attributed these improvements to the hard work of FAAN’s management and cooperation from agencies such as Immigration and Customs.
“We are working closely with the National Security Adviser (NSA) to ensure that the reforms we’ve initiated continue smoothly. We’ve updated the NSA on the measures we’ve taken and have requested his support in ensuring that all agencies cooperate in the best interest of passengers and the nation’s image,” Keyamo added.
The Minister further acknowledged the commitment of immigration, customs, and other agencies to improved professionalism, noting that recent reviews online reflected a more positive passenger experience.
As part of the ongoing modernization effort, Keyamo assured the public that the federal government remains focused on transforming Nigerian airports into world-class facilities, with plans to extend the improvements to other wings of MMIA in the near future.
