Korede Abdullah 
Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo
LAGOS, Nigeria – The Federal Government has announced plans to extend the Lagos rail network to the domestic and international terminals of Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), a project aimed at improving connectivity and reinforcing Lagos’ status as a leading aviation hub in Africa.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed the plan on Monday at the opening of Invest Lagos 3.0, saying discussions with the Lagos State Government are already underway to commence the Lagos rail extension project.
According to Keyamo, the proposed extension will connect the existing rail line terminating at Ikeja Bus Stop to the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), pass through the Murtala Muhammed Airport Two (MMA2) operated by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), and continue to the international terminal.
“We are also planning to extend the rail line that ends at Ikeja Bus Stop. We are working with the Lagos State government to extend that rail line all the way to the local, through the Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL) and all the way to the international airport,” Keyamo said.
“That rail line is about to start. It’s the extension of the rail line. So, Lagos is just ready for the next big step in terms of its aviation activities,” he added.
The Lagos rail extension forms part of broader efforts by the Federal Government to modernise transport infrastructure and improve passenger access to Nigeria’s busiest airport.
Keyamo revealed that Lagos accounts for approximately 67 per cent of all passenger traffic passing through Nigerian airports, underscoring the city’s strategic importance to the country’s aviation sector.
He argued that Lagos possesses unique geographical advantages that could enable it to compete with major African aviation hubs such as Addis Ababa and Lomé.
“Just six hours across the Atlantic, you will get to South America from the Lagos airport. Six hours down, you’ll get to Southern Africa. Six hours to the Middle East, you’ll get to Dubai or Qatar. Six hours up, you will get to Europe, either France or London,” he said.
“That is the equidistant advantage that Lagos also provides as a hub for the whole of Africa. So, we will soon catch up with hubs like Addis Ababa, with hubs like Togo.”
The minister also highlighted ongoing aviation infrastructure upgrades under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, revealing that about $500 million has been committed to reconstructing and modernising the ageing international terminal at Lagos airport.
He said the investment would transform the nearly 50-year-old facility into a world-class airport capable of handling growing passenger and cargo traffic.
Keyamo further disclosed that Nigeria now has seven international airports following the addition of Victor Attah International Airport and Maiduguri International Airport.
He also cited the resolution of the long-running dispute between BASL and the Federal Government as a sign of renewed support for private-sector participation in aviation and urged investors to explore opportunities across the sector, including the proposed airport project in the Lekki-Epe corridor.
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Mirian Gom 
Oluwatobi Adu 