Lagos’ international gateway is undergoing a major transformation, with plans to extend the Lagos Red Line into Murtala Muhammed International Airport and create about five stops within the airport complex.
The proposed stations will serve Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Hadron Cargo, airport offices and another location around Bisam, according to the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Olubunmi Onabanjo-Kuku.
The project is being initiated by the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and will extend the Red Line from its current terminus around Ikeja into the airport, creating a direct rail connection between the aviation hub and the Lagos transport network.
The objective is to give passengers and airport users an alternative to road transportation when travelling between the airport and other parts of Lagos.
“The whole idea is to connect the city to the airport. So from the airport, you should be able to get into Marina almost immediately. You shouldn’t have to use cars,” Onabanjo-Kuku said.
The project is still in its preparatory phase as environmental impact assessments, design reviews and procurement procedures are being undertaken before construction can begin.
The proposed rail connection forms part of the transformation taking place at the airport, where Terminals 1 and 2 are undergoing extensive rehabilitation and expansion.
One of the major milestones is the overhead bridge connecting the two terminals. FAAN said the final concrete work has been completed, while the canopy and structural work are substantially finished and the rails have been installed.
The authority expects the bridge to be ready in earnest with the aim of opening it before the December travel rush.
“I’m extremely excited to see the level of progress. I’ve just engaged some of the consultants and the engineering team on the project, and I’ve been informed that in the next couple of months this will be ready for use,” Onabanjo-Kuku said.
Work is also progressing on Terminal 1, including its canopy structure and façade. The redevelopment covers baggage-handling systems, check-in technology, retail facilities and other systems designed to modernise passenger processing.
Accessibility is another component of the redevelopment. FAAN has provided two ambulifts, while a ground-handling company has supplied another for passengers who require mobility assistance.
The renovated facilities will also feature wheelchair-accessible ramps, elevators and improved passenger separation. Flight information systems are being developed to better accommodate travellers with hearing and visual impairments.
“We want to make sure that this is an inclusive project for all of our passengers,” Onabanjo-Kuku said.
When completed, the combination of terminal upgrades and the proposed Red Line extension will give Lagos airport a different transport and passenger environment. The rail project, in particular, could establish a direct public transport link between the airport and the city, reducing reliance on road journeys along one of Lagos’ most important travel corridors.
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