All weather forecasting equipment and operational offices of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) were completely destroyed in a massive fire that gutted the old terminal building of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos on Monday, February 23, 2026.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, disclosed this during an on-site inspection of the damaged terminal on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
He confirmed that the blaze, which started around 3:30 p.m., left NiMet’s upper-floor facilities including critical weather monitoring and forecasting instruments totally ruined.
Keyamo stated that the full extent of the structural damage is still being assessed, as parts of the building remain unsafe for detailed inspection.
However, he assured airlines, passengers, and the aviation sector that flight operations would not be disrupted.
“Contingency measures have been activated. We have other NiMet stations across the country that can provide the necessary weather readings and support operations in Lagos,” the minister explained.
“Temporary arrangements are already in place while we fast-track the replacement of the destroyed equipment.”
The fire injured six people, with four now reported to be in stable condition. At least 12 Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) and other airport users were briefly trapped inside before being safely rescued by emergency teams.
Thankfully, no lives were lost.Keyamo praised the swift and coordinated response of the Lagos State Fire Service, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Police, and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) personnel, whose actions prevented the flames from spreading to other vital airport infrastructure.
The incident is expected to accelerate the long-planned demolition and reconstruction of the aging terminal, which had already been scheduled for full redevelopment starting in August 2025, with completion targeted within 22 months.
The minister described the fire as a catalyst that would hasten the evacuation of the building and the commencement of comprehensive reconstruction works, aligning with the Federal Government’s broader agenda to modernize Nigeria’s airport facilities.
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