0
0
FAAN APOLOGISES FOR MMIA BLACKOUT, BLAMES FAULTY CIRCUIT
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has attributed the temporary power outage at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Terminal 1 on Saturday to a fault in the terminal’s changeover circuit.
The authority assured passengers that swift measures were taken to restore power and maintain airport operations.
In a statement on Sunday, FAAN acknowledged the power outage and explained that its technical teams had acted swiftly to resolve the issue. “We acknowledge the power outage at MMIA Terminal 1 yesterday. The interruption was caused by an issue with the changeover circuit,” the agency said.
It added that the teams “took immediate action to bridge the gap and transfer supply to the secondary grid, and interim backup measures were activated to restore services as quickly as possible.”
The agency apologised for the inconvenience caused, adding, “We apologise to all passengers and stakeholders affected by the disruption and any discomfort it caused.”
FAAN noted that the incident highlighted “long‑standing infrastructure limitations” at Terminal 1.
With the terminal scheduled to shut down in one month for the MMIA Rehabilitation and Expansion Project, the authority said, “It is not feasible to install permanent new or additional backup equipment at this time.”
It further appealed for public understanding, stating, “We appreciate your patience as we transition from stop‑gap solutions to lasting improvements. We remain committed to delivering a safer, more reliable passenger experience.”
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, revealed that he had engaged the agency over the disruption, also confirming that the situation had been addressed.
The power outage comes amid preparations to modernise Terminal 1 under the ongoing MMIA Rehabilitation and Expansion Project.
The Federal government in August 2025 approved a major overhaul of the terminal, citing the airport as “a national disgrace to the country and its citizens.”
At the Federal Executive Council meeting, presided over by President Bola Tinubu, the council approved the N712 billion renovation project.
Keyamo explained that the project would involve a complete reconstruction and remodelling of Terminal 1, repairs to access roads and bridges, and upgrades to other parts of the airport over a 22-month period.
Industry sources said the project includes several components, such as the reconstruction of Terminal 1, expansion of Terminal 2, enhanced security systems, upgraded airfield lighting, and refurbishment of apron areas. The terminal, originally commissioned in 1979, will be stripped down to its structural core and rebuilt with new mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.
The renovation also covers the construction of a new apron, access roads, bridges, and related works to expand the terminal’s capacity. A N49.9 billion perimeter fencing project will feature advanced security measures, including intrusion detection systems, CCTV cameras, solar-powered floodlights, and a patrol road.
About The Author
