As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen aviation safety and operational efficiency, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on Tuesday conducted a comprehensive Table-Top Exercise (TTX) aimed at assessing emergency preparedness, coordination, and response effectiveness in the event of an aircraft incident.
The simulated scenario involved an aircraft crash on the runway with 103 passengers on board. Participating agencies demonstrated coordinated rescue, search, and recovery operations in line with established emergency protocols. The exercise also featured the simulated activation of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to evaluate command structure, information flow, and inter-agency communication.
The exercise convened key stakeholders across the aviation and emergency management spectrum, including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigerian Police, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO), Lagos State Fire Service, Federal Fire Service, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Military, FAAN Medical Services, Aviation Security (AVSEC), the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), the Nigerian Red Cross Society, airline representatives, and traditional rulers from airport host communities. The Regional General Manager (RGM), Southwest Region, served as the Incident Commander.
During the observation and feedback session, traditional rulers emphasised the need for clearly publicised and easily accessible emergency contact numbers to facilitate prompt reporting and response during incidents. Participants also underscored the importance of the immediate activation of the tripartite alert system—linking the Control Tower, Fire Station, and Base Station without delays arising from additional approval processes.
Observers noted the absence of media participation, highlighting the critical role of strategic communication and information management during emergencies. It was further observed that some security agencies required better familiarity with the airport’s emergency contact framework and were advised to obtain and study the Aerodrome Emergency Plan (AEP).
Additional recommendations included the development of more detailed post-incident runway clean-up and decontamination procedures, the installation of additional fire hydrants across the airport, and the provision of adequate fire-fighting foam concentrate to enhance response capability.
Participants reiterated the need for fire service personnel to maintain full protective gear at crash scenes and strictly adhere to designated rendezvous points at NAHCO, Gate 3, and Gate 19. The compulsory use of respirators during aircraft fire-fighting operations was also stressed, given the hazardous nature of aircraft materials and the importance of strict compliance with personal protective equipment (PPE) standards.
FAAN was further encouraged to intensify public awareness and community sensitisation efforts on emergency response procedures, particularly within communities adjoining the airport.
In his remarks, the RGM commended the valuable contributions of the traditional rulers and all participating stakeholders, reaffirming FAAN’s commitment to sustained collaboration and synergy in emergency management.
He assured participants that all observations and recommendations would be carefully reviewed and implemented, and disclosed that partial and full-scale emergency exercises are scheduled for 2026.
In closing, the Head of the Safety Department expressed appreciation to all stakeholders for their active participation and constructive feedback, noting that the exercise reinforces FAAN’s commitment to global best practices in aviation safety.
She emphasised that continuous training, strong stakeholder collaboration, and regular emergency drills remain central to effective preparedness at MMIA.