The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria abruptly shut the temporary terminal at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Sunday, 28 June 2026, after heavy rainfall triggered severe flooding across the departure hall, boarding gates, airline offices, and other sections.
FAAN officials, including spokesperson Henry Agbebire, confirmed the incident and relocated airlines such as Air France-KLM, Ethiopian Airlines, and Fly Gabon to Terminal Two of the MMIA to sustain operations without cancellations. The terminal’s powerhouse was also flooded, leading to a temporary electricity shutdown.
Agbebire linked the Lagos airport flooding to blocked drainage channels impacted by ongoing reconstruction of the old international terminal by a Chinese contractor. “It was the construction works that affected the drainage,” he explained. “We have moved airlines operating from that terminal to Terminal 2, and the development has not really affected their operations. There were no cancellations at all. We have taken immediate action to fix that problem.”
The disruption follows the closure of the original MMIA terminal months earlier for a major reconstruction project estimated at over N600 billion.
A fire had also previously damaged parts of the old facility, highlighting persistent challenges during the upgrade phase.
Authorities acted promptly to manage the situation, assuring passengers and airlines of minimal long-term impact while committing to prevent future occurrences.
Olawale Olaleye is a journalist, editor, and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering public affairs, governance, and national issues.
