BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), in collaboration with project consultant, ARUP, have completed the concrete works on the inbound and outbound landside bridges at Terminal 1 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
The milestone, achieved on Tuesday, marks another major step in the ongoing rehabilitation and modernisation of the terminal, with the bridges expected to become operational in December 2026.
The final concrete pouring effectively connects the landside bridge structures from their starting points to their endpoints, bringing the project closer to completion.
The occasion was witnessed by FAAN’s Managing Director/Chief Executive, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, senior FAAN directors, representatives of CCECC and ARUP, as well as other stakeholders involved in the project.
Speaking at the event, Kuku described the completion of the concrete works as an important step in moving the Terminal 1 upgrade “from plans to visible delivery.”
She said the transformation of the terminal was becoming increasingly visible to Nigerians and international travellers, while appreciating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, for their support and commitment to the project.
Kuku also commended CCECC, ARUP, FAAN’s technical teams and other stakeholders for their contributions to the progress recorded so far.
FAAN said the event was deliberately kept as a modest media engagement to give the public and other stakeholders visible evidence of the progress being made on the project and the Federal Government’s investment in upgrading the country’s major international gateway.
However, the airport authority stressed that the completion of the concrete works does not mean that the bridges will be opened for immediate use.
According to FAAN, the newly poured concrete must first undergo the required curing period before lighting and other finishing works are carried out in the coming weeks.
The bridges are expected to be opened to traffic in December, alongside the anticipated completion of the façade and other exterior works of Terminal 1.
The Terminal 1 rehabilitation and modernisation project is part of the Federal Government’s broader plan to improve airport infrastructure, make travelling more convenient for passengers and bring Nigeria’s airports closer to modern international standards.
The project is also expected to improve the overall appearance and functionality of the MMIA, Nigeria’s main international gateway, while providing a better experience for passengers and other airport users.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
