Stakeholders Discuss, Provide Requirements For A Viable Hub Status
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s aviation industry assembled at Golfview Hotels & Suites, Ikeja, Lagos on Thursday, March 26, 2026 to discuss a theme “Building MMIA Into A Safe & Economically Viable Hub” at the Quarter1 Business Breakfast Meeting of the Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative (ASRTI), after which a communique was issued, providing requirements for actualization of this concept.
At the end of deliberations, it was agreed that “attention should be given to basic elements for emergence of a hub status in line with globally accepted standards and practices starting with immediate provision of transit facilities at MMIA” and that “there should be high-level engagements for monorail development at MMIA for terminal connectivity.”
It was also agreed that “two to three strong Nigerian airlines should become National Flag Carriers so as to boost passenger and cargo traffic. There is a need to adopt technology to enhance passenger experience, develop modern cargo terminals and cold-chain systems at the airports. There is need to position Nigeria as an MRO hub to unlock greater value in the aviation supply chain. There should be an upgrade of airfield lighting on Runways 18L/36R and key taxiways to Category II LED standards.”
Players also recommended “deployment of the advanced Airport Surface Movement Guidance and Control System (A-SMGCS) and implementation of Access Control systems are required. There is required, an expansion of apron and aircraft parking stands by relocating two hangars obstructing wide-body aircraft operations. There is need to install multiple Avio bridges for simultaneous aircraft turnaround.
FAAN needs to upgrade cargo terminal facilities and integrate air cargo logistics systems. There is a need for stakeholder inclusive engagement in the current modernization of the MMIA from design to execution.”
Lead Speaker at the event was Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
