MORGANABLE LIFE & CULTURE / NEWS
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has revealed plans for a rail extension that will take the Lagos Red Line directly into Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA).
Akure —
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has revealed plans for a rail extension that will take the Lagos Red Line directly into Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA).
FAAN Managing Director Olubunmi Onabanjo-Kuku disclosed the plan during an inspection of ongoing work at the Lagos airport.
She said the rail project is being initiated by the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development. The extension will connect the airport with the wider Lagos transport network.
According to Kuku, the proposed stops will serve Terminal 1, Terminal 2, the Hadron Cargo area, airport administrative offices and the Bissam area.
As a result, people using different parts of the airport could have easier access to rail services. The plan would also bring the train closer to key airport facilities.
The proposed project will extend the existing Lagos Red Line from the Ikeja area into the airport. At present, the Red Line does not reach MMIA.
Therefore, travellers going to or leaving the airport still depend heavily on roads, taxis, private cars and other forms of road transport.
However, the planned extension could change that. Once completed, passengers could use rail services to travel between the airport and other parts of Lagos.
The connection is also expected to make trips toward Marina easier. For many travellers, that could provide another option during busy periods on the city’s roads.
The project is still at an early stage. FAAN said environmental impact assessments, design reviews and procurement processes are underway.
Therefore, construction has not started, and the authority has not announced when passengers will begin using the airport rail service.
Even so, the announcement gives more detail about the government’s plan to improve airport connectivity. Rather than building a rail stop far from the airport, the proposed extension would enter the airport perimeter. This approach could make the service more useful for passengers and airport staff.
The rail plan comes as FAAN continues a major rehabilitation programme at MMIA. The authority is upgrading both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 as part of efforts to improve the airport. These works include changes to passenger areas, movement routes and other facilities.
Meanwhile, work on an overhead bridge linking Terminals 1 and 2 has reached an important stage. FAAN said the final concrete work has been completed.
The canopy, framing and rails are also substantially in place. The authority expects the bridge to open before the December travel peak.
The bridge is expected to improve movement between the two terminals. It will also connect the airport transit hub and support further expansion around Terminal 2.
Consequently, passengers should have a more convenient way to move between important sections of the airport.
Still, the construction work has created difficulties for some travellers. Traffic around the airport has increased in some areas, while changes to routes have affected movement.
Kuku acknowledged the frustration and asked people to remain patient as the major rehabilitation continues.
In addition, FAAN is working to make the airport more accessible. The authority has acquired two AmbuLifts to support passengers with reduced mobility.
A ground-handling company has also provided another unit. As a result, three AmbuLifts are now available at the airport.
The upgraded terminals will also include ramps, accessible elevators and dedicated wheelchair routes. FAAN said passenger flows are being redesigned as well.
Arrival and departure movements will be separated more clearly, while improved flight information systems will provide both audio and visual information.
These changes are important because airport services should be accessible to everyone. Passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility need safe and convenient ways to move through terminals. By including accessible facilities in the upgrade, FAAN can make the airport easier to use for a wider range of travellers.
The proposed rail extension could support these improvements. Better road access alone may not be enough for an airport serving a large and growing city.
Rail can offer another transport choice, especially when road traffic becomes heavy. Therefore, the airport connection could become an important part of Lagos’ wider transport system.
For residents, workers and visitors, the project could also improve travel planning. People would have another way to reach the airport without depending entirely on private vehicles.
At the same time, a direct rail link could help reduce pressure on roads around the airport when passenger numbers rise.
The timing is also important because the December travel period is approaching. FAAN has advised travellers to arrive at the airport three to four hours before their flights.
The authority has also asked passengers to follow signs, use designated parking areas and confirm flight information with their airlines.
For now, travellers should not expect to board a train at MMIA immediately. The airport rail extension still needs to move through technical and regulatory processes before construction can begin.
However, the five-stop plan shows that the project is moving beyond a general proposal toward a more defined airport connection.
Overall, the planned rail link could strengthen the connection between MMIA and Lagos. It could give passengers more travel choices, improve access to airport facilities and reduce dependence on road transport. At the same time, the ongoing terminal upgrades could improve the experience inside the airport.
If the project progresses as planned, the airport could become more closely integrated with Lagos’ growing rail network. The five proposed stops would serve key areas within the airport, while the wider extension could connect travellers with the city. For passengers and airport users, that could mean easier journeys in the future.
