The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and the United Bank for Africa, has partnered to refurbish the E-wing of Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport and added four CNG-powered buses to improve passenger mobility.
The Managing Director of FAAN, Olubunmi Kuku, made this disclosure on Friday, adding the development aims to enhance the overall passenger experience at the airport.
The FAAN boss said, “Her words, ‘You can see that we expanded our facilities for the future; hence the use of terminal 2. In addition, we are using terminal D right now and we are moving passengers in here so that we can potentially decongest.
“We are looking at our arrival time and slotting. That way, we are making effective use of the capacity of the terminal as well as the timing of flights arriving and landing.”
Earlier, in his address, the minister for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, stated that the renovation is part of a broader initiative by FAAN to revitalize Nigeria’s airports in partnership with private sector stakeholders, despite limited resources.
Keyamo also praised the collaboration between FAAN, the concessionaires, and the United Bank for Africa, highlighting their successful partnership on the project.
The minister said, “This remodelled E-Wing is an outcome of our collaboration with Hussling and UBA. The new design includes modern lighting, upgraded flooring, and more prominent advertising displays, all aimed at improving the passenger experience.
“This is just the beginning. Next, we will focus on other parts of the airport, including the D-Wing’s departure and arrival areas.
“While it was a joke, the message is serious. It’s about maintaining a good image for the country and its institutions. We have seen improvements and we are committed to continuing that progress.”
He credited the improvements to the dedicated efforts of FAAN’s management and the cooperation of agencies like Immigration and Customs.
“We are working closely with the National Security Adviser to ensure that the reforms we’ve initiated continue smoothly. We’ve updated the NSA on the measures we’ve taken and have requested his support in ensuring that all agencies cooperate in the best interest of passengers and the nation’s image,” he stated.
In his remark, the General Managing Director of UBA, Oliver Alawuba, emphasized that private-sector involvement in national development, through public-private partnerships, is crucial for effectively addressing critical challenges.
“This is not just about bricks and mortar; it’s about creating an environment that catalyzes growth and unlocks opportunities across every sector of the economy,” Alawuba added.
Alawuba also reassured of UBA’s commitment to supporting future phases of airport modernization, describing the E-Wing makeover as just the first step in a broader initiative.
