A joint delegation from the Senate and the House of Representatives has directed a full investigation into the recent fire outbreak that destroyed part of the Terminal 1 wing at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
The lawmakers made the decision after conducting an on-the-spot assessment of the damage caused by the blaze, which erupted earlier this week and sparked widespread concern among aviation industry stakeholders.
The inspection team toured the charred sections of the old terminal before holding a closed-door meeting with management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), led by Managing Director Olubunmi Kuku.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Abdulfatai Buhari, said lawmakers would await the outcome of FAAN’s investigation before drawing conclusions or issuing further directives.
Buhari emphasised that the National Assembly would avoid speculation about the cause of the fire while the probe continues.
He expressed relief that there were no casualties despite the extensive damage, describing that as “the most important thing” and praising the emergency response by airport authorities and responders.
According to Buhari, international flights continued with minimal disruption after the fire, with some flights temporarily diverted to nearby airports before returning to Lagos once operations stabilised.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, Abdullahi Garba, echoed Buhari’s stance, saying the committee would depend on official investigative findings before considering any legislative or oversight actions.
FAAN’s Board Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, who also assessed the damage, acknowledged the loss of sensitive equipment, including communication gear vital to air navigation and weather monitoring, but similarly praised the professionalism of the emergency response teams that prevented loss of life.
Authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of the fire, and the probe ordered by the National Assembly is expected to focus on both the origin of the incident and measures to prevent future outbreaks.
The fire at Nigeria’s busiest international gateway has renewed calls for improved safety standards, better infrastructure resilience and more robust emergency response systems within the aviation sector.
