The Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engr. Ahmed Umar Farouk, has confirmed that the fire outbreak at the old terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, destroyed one of the agency’s major communication assets, severely disrupting air-to-ground communication and other critical air traffic services.
The incident, which occurred on Monday February 23, 2026, forced the temporary suspension of inbound flights into Lagos at the height of the emergency.
Addressing journalists after inspecting the scene on Wednesday, Faroukh said the fire was reported while NAMA’s management team was in a meeting.
“We were in a management meeting when the incident was reported. I immediately dispatched the Director of Operations and Engineering to assess the situation. What we saw was a huge loss as far as communication is concerned, and other air traffic services were seriously disrupted. We had no option at that time but to suspend inbound aircraft into Lagos”, he said.
He described the damage as extensive, noting that the agency’s air-to-ground communication system at the affected facility was completely impacted.
“The fire has affected our air-to-ground communication completely. What you see on ground now that we are able to sustain air traffic service is the backup that we moved from other places to sustain operations. The truth of the matter is we have a lot of damage”, he stated.
Farouk, however, declined to put a monetary value on the loss, explaining that a full assessment would take time.
“It will be very difficult for me to quantify the magnitude of the loss at this time. It will take us a while to do so. But we are working on it”, he added.
Despite the scale of the damage, the NAMA boss commended the prompt response and bravery of the agency’s Director of Operations, engineers and other personnel on duty during the incident.
“Some of them actually put their lives in danger. They were supposed to run and leave their workplace, but they decided to stay and salvage the situation”, he said.
He assured Nigerians and the flying public that air traffic control services — including aerodrome, approach and area control remain uninterrupted through the deployment of backup systems.
To further stabilise operations, Farouk disclosed that NAMA is working to reposition a mobile control tower to the site. Initial deployment was delayed due to unsuitable terrain, prompting the agency to engage a Chinese firm handling works at the airport to carry out necessary civil works.
“Within 24 hours, the civil works were done. Hopefully, by tomorrow or next, we will be able to move the mobile tower”, he said.
He emphasised that safety remains the agency’s top priority and confirmed that no lives were lost in the incident.
“We don’t expect emergency situations, but we are highly professional and always ready to address such unfortunate incidents.
“I want to reassure Nigerians and the flying public that the Nigerian airspace will remain safe. Air-to-ground communication will remain uninterrupted”, Farouk stated.