BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) has credited strong leadership and strict adherence to emergency protocols for preventing a major catastrophe during Monday’s fire outbreak at the Old International Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
NAAPE President, Captain Bunmi Gindeh, said the swift crisis response coordinated by the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, transformed what could have been a devastating aviation emergency into a controlled operational disruption.
In a statement, NAAPE described the incident as a major test of Nigeria’s aviation safety systems, praising the structured response that ensured protection of lives, orderly evacuation of personnel, and rapid stabilisation of airport activities.
Captain Gindeh emphasised that the outcome reflected preparation rather than panic. “What we witnessed was not a reaction born out of confusion, but the execution of a prepared system”.
The immediate activation of the Emergency Operations Centre, the protection of lives, the structured evacuation process, and the orderly management of flight diversions demonstrate that FAAN had a workable emergency framework in place.
Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku’s leadership ensured that a potentially tragic situation was stabilised with professionalism and clarity of command,” he said.
He added that aviation safety is best measured during moments of crisis.
“Airports are complex operational ecosystems. When an incident affects critical infrastructure, the ripple effects can be severe, from air traffic control to passenger processing and airline operations.
“The fact that there was no loss of life and that operations were progressively restored speaks to institutional discipline and coordinated crisis management,” he stated.
NAAPE also commended the temporary suspension of operations and diversion of international flights, describing the move as a responsible safety-first strategy.
“Prioritising safety over convenience is the hallmark of mature aviation governance,” the association noted.
The association praised the collaboration among firefighting units, security agencies, medical teams, and technical personnel who worked collectively to contain the fire and secure the facility.
NAAPE also called for sustained investment in airport infrastructure, modern safety systems, and regular emergency simulation exercises across Nigeria’s airports.
Captain Gindeh concluded, saying, “Incidents like this remind us that preparedness must be continuous. The aviation community must learn from this experience and strengthen resilience across our national gateways.”
He also expressed solidarity with affected airport stakeholders and confidence in a full return to normal operations following technical assessments.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
