The Federal Government has announced plans to extend the existing Lagos rail network to both the domestic and international terminals of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos.
The government also disclosed that despite the number of airports across the country, about 67 per cent of total air passenger traffic is recorded at the Lagos airport.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, made this known on Monday during his remarks at the opening ceremony of Invest Lagos 3.0, an event organised by the Lagos State Government.
Keyamo said discussions were already ongoing between the Federal Ministry of Aviation and the Lagos State Government to kick-start the rail extension project linking directly into the airport.
According to him, the initiative is aimed at strengthening Lagos’ position as Africa’s leading aviation hub.
He explained that the proposed rail extension would connect the existing rail line terminating at Ikeja Bus Stop to the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), pass through the Murtala Muhammed Airport Two (MMA2) operated by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, and extend to the international terminal.
“We are also planning to extend the rail line that ends at Ikeja Bus Stop. We are working with the Lagos State Government to extend that rail line all the way to the local wing, through Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) and all the way to the international airport,” he said.
“That rail line is about to start. It is the extension of the rail line. So, Lagos is just ready for the next big step in terms of its aviation activities.”
Keyamo added that the project, when completed, would significantly improve access to Nigeria’s busiest airport and support efforts to transform Lagos into a major aviation and logistics hub in Africa.
He noted that Lagos handles about 67 per cent of all passenger traffic in Nigeria’s aviation sector, underscoring its strategic importance.
According to him, the state’s geographical position gives it a competitive advantage over other African aviation hubs such as Addis Ababa in Ethiopia and Lomé in Togo.
“Just six hours across the Atlantic, you will get to South America from Lagos airport. Six hours down, you’ll get to Southern Africa. Six hours to the Middle East, you’ll get to Dubai or Qatar. Six hours up, you will get to Europe, either France or London,” he said.
“That is the equidistant advantage that Lagos also provides as a hub for the whole of Africa. So, we will soon catch up with hubs like Addis Ababa and Togo.”
The minister also highlighted ongoing investments in airport infrastructure under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, noting that about $500 million has been committed to the reconstruction and modernisation of the Lagos international terminal.
He said the project would transform the nearly 50-year-old facility into a modern airport capable of handling increased passenger and cargo traffic.
Keyamo further disclosed that Nigeria now has seven international airports following the upgrade of Victor Attah International Airport and Maiduguri International Airport.
He also cited the resolution of the legal dispute between Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited and the Federal Government as one of the administration’s key achievements, describing it as a step toward improving investor confidence in the aviation sector.
He urged local and foreign investors to take advantage of emerging opportunities in aviation, including the proposed new airport project along the Lekki-Epe corridor being promoted by the Lagos State Government.
