Lagos Airport Fire Destroys Air Traffic Systems, Mobile Tower Being Deployed
A devastating fire at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos on Monday, February 23, has completely wiped out primary air-to-ground communication equipment, forcing Nigeria's airspace authority to rely on emergency backup systems to keep flights moving safely.
The head of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engineer Ahmed Farouk, confirmed the scale of the damage after visiting the scene for a first-hand assessment. He described the impact as a major blow to the infrastructure that supports aircraft communication and air navigation services at the country's busiest international gateway. The fire broke out while NAMA's leadership was holding an internal meeting, and the agency immediately sent its Directors of Operations and Engineering to take charge of the emergency response.
With communication links between controllers and pilots knocked out, NAMA was forced to temporarily suspend all inbound flights into Lagos as a safety precaution. The disruption triggered diversions and compounded travel delays for passengers at an airport that handles the bulk of Nigeria's international traffic. For travel professionals across the region who regularly book clients through Lagos, the incident served as a sharp reminder of how dependent smooth operations are on ground infrastructure.
Fortunately, the agency's technical teams acted fast. Backup communication facilities were brought in from other stations around the country, and services were restored within minutes of the initial disruption. Farouk confirmed that aerodrome, approach and area control services are now running without interruption, reassuring airlines and passengers that the airspace above Lagos remains safe.
Beyond the immediate fix, NAMA is working to bring in a mobile control tower to further strengthen operations while permanent repairs are carried out. The deployment faced an early setback because the ground conditions at the intended site were not suitable for the equipment. A Chinese contractor already working on projects at the airport has since carried out civil engineering work to stabilise the terrain, and the mobile unit is expected to be fully operational within 48 hours.
Farouk took a moment to recognise the bravery of NAMA staff who stayed at their posts during the emergency. Some personnel put themselves in danger rather than abandon their stations, a response he described as both courageous and deeply professional. Their dedication, he said, was a key reason the situation was brought under control as quickly as it was.
A comprehensive damage assessment is now underway to determine the full financial cost of the fire. Farouk acknowledged that it will take time to accurately calculate the losses, given the sophisticated nature of the destroyed equipment. While NAMA does not anticipate emergencies, the agency chief stressed that his teams are trained and prepared to respond decisively whenever they occur.
For Africa's travel trade, this incident raises broader questions about infrastructure resilience at major airports across the continent. Lagos is a critical hub not only for Nigeria but for much of West Africa, connecting millions of passengers each year to destinations in Europe, the Middle East and North America. Any prolonged disruption to its operations would have a ripple effect on bookings, connections and client confidence.
The good news is that NAMA's swift deployment of backup systems and its push to get the mobile tower running show that contingency planning does work when it is taken seriously. As African aviation continues to grow and attract new investment, events like this underline the urgent need for modern, fire-resistant infrastructure and redundant systems that can keep the continent's airports running even when the unexpected strikes.
