Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA): A Comprehensive Guide

Nov 06, 2025 0

Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) (IATA: LOS, ICAO: DNMM) is an international airport located in Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria, and is the major airport serving the entire state. Known in Yoruba as Pápá Ọkọ̀ Òfurufú Káríayé Múrítàlá Mùhammẹ̀d, it stands as a crucial gateway to Nigeria.

Lagos Airport in 1969 with a Vickers VC-10 of Nigeria Airways and a Fokker F27 Friendship at the stands.

Historical Overview

The airport was built during World War II. West African Airways Corporation (WAAC) was formed in 1947 and had its main base at Ikeja. De Havilland Doves were initially operated on WAACs Nigerian internal routes then West African services. Originally known as Lagos Airport, it was renamed after the military head of state Murtala Muhammed in 1976 following his assassination in a failed coup attempt. A new international terminal modeled after Amsterdam Airport Schiphol was constructed through the decade at a cost of ₦240 million, officially opening on 15 March 1979, as part of a broader master plan to ensure sufficient capacity through the year 2000.

Airport Layout and Terminals

Murtala Muhammed International Airport consists of an international and a domestic terminal, located about one kilometre from each other. Both terminals share the same runways.

International Terminal (MMIA): Caters primarily to international flights.
Domestic Terminal (MMA1): Generally called General Aviation Terminal caters to domestic flights. This terminal is owned and operated by the government.
Domestic Terminal (MMA2): A terminal owned by a private firm by the name Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL). The systems at the MMA2 are the first and only in the category of terminals in Nigeria and the West and Central Africa region.
MMIA2 Regional/International Terminal: This ultra-modern facility would increase the airport’s ability to handle traffic and accommodate both international and regional flights. This newer terminal is designed to handle increased international traffic.

This domestic terminal used to be the old Ikeja Airport. International operations moved to the new international airport when it was ready while domestic operations moved to the Ikeja Airport, which became the domestic airport. The domestic operations were relocated to the old Lagos domestic terminal in 2000 after a fire.

Security Improvements

During the late 1980s and 1990s, the international terminal had a reputation for being dangerous. From 1992 through 2000, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) posted warning signs in all US international airports advising travelers that security conditions at Lagos Airport did not meet ICAO minimum standards. In 1993, the FAA suspended air service between Lagos and the United States.

Following Olusegun Obasanjo's democratic election in 1999, the security situation at Lagos began to improve. Airport police instituted a "shoot on sight" policy for anyone found in the secure areas around runways and taxiways, stopping further airplane robberies. Police secured the inside of the terminal and the arrival areas outside. The FAA ended its suspension of direct flights to Nigeria in 2001 in recognition of these security improvements.

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Recent Developments

Recent years have seen substantial improvements at Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Malfunctioning and non-operational infrastructures such as air conditioning and luggage belts have been repaired. The entire airport has been cleaned, and many new restaurants and duty-free stores have opened. Bilateral Air Services Agreements signed between Nigeria and other countries are being revived and new ones signed.

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On 6 September 2012, then Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, announced that the Federal Government of Nigeria approved a N106 billion loan from the Exim Bank of China to construct 5 new international terminals, including a passenger terminal in Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Construction began in late 2013, and the new international terminal was commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari on 22 March 2022. The new terminal has the capacity to process 14 million passengers annually.

Initially, most airlines did not move their flights to the new terminal as the apron did not have enough space for larger planes to taxi to the gate with the terminal's layout.

Airlines and Destinations

Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport is home to more than thirty domestic and international airlines that operate in each section of the airport. MMA2 Domestic Terminal accounts for a whopping 75 percent of all domestic traffic in Lagos.

Below is a table summarizing some of the airlines and their destinations:

Airline	Destinations
Qatar Airways	Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Egypt, India, Abu Dhabi, Lebanon, Maldives, Dubai, Philippines, South Africa, Qatar, Morocco
British Airways	South Africa, Kenya, Morocco, Ghana
Delta Airlines	South Africa, Cameroon, Morocco, Madagascar
Air Peace	South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Sierra Leonne, Togo, Cameroon, Senegal, Benin, Gambia
Ethiopian Airlines	South Africa, Ethiopia, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, Eritrea, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique, Malawi, Somalia, DR. Congo, Zimbabwe, Burundi, Tanzania, Morocco

Airport Lounges

Yes, travellers can find a number of lounges in Lagos Murtala Mohammed Airport depending on the terminal they are passing through for their journey. Depending on the fare, these lounges provide services like meals and drinks, internet connection and occasionally exclusive basic facilities like showers.

There are currently no lounges in the GAT/MMA1 terminal as the building is too small to accommodate any at the moment.

Membership/Pricing: There are three different membership categories - “Standard” membership is $99 annually and $35 per visit, this package is for occasional travellers. “Standard Plus” membership comes next at $329 annually, it offers 10 free visits to members and then a fee of $35 per visit afterwards. The “Prestige” membership is priced at $469 and members visit for free at all times.

Conditions: This lounge is for domestic flights only, and children under 2 years are admitted free. Alcoholic drinks are only available to passengers 18 years of age or older.

Conditions: Maximum 4-hour stay, while Children under 6 years are admitted free.

Membership/Pricing: There are three different membership categories - “Standard” membership is $69 annually and $24 per visit, this package is for occasional travellers. “Standard Plus” membership comes next at $229 annually, it offers 10 free visits to members and then a fee of $24 per visit afterwards. The “Prestige” membership is priced at $419 and members visit for free at all times.

Conditions: Maximum 4-hour stay.

Conditions: Free admission for children under 6 years, while spa services are subject to payment.

Getting To and From the Airport

Getting to Lagos Airport Nigeria can be done through various means, depending on your starting point and preferences.

Driving: From central Lagos, head west on Bailey Street towards the northbound Ikorodu Road (A1), which leads directly to the airport entrance.
Taxis: Taxis are readily available throughout Lagos and can hire a taxi from you directly to your desired terminal. Remember, Lagos traffic can be unpredictable.
Private Cabs: Private cabs are available at designated taxi stands outside the terminals. Rates are usually fixed, but it’s best to confirm the fare before starting your journey.
Ride-hailing Apps: Services like inDrive, Uber and Bolt operate within and outside the airport, providing a convenient option with predetermined fares.
Public Transport: While less convenient, public buses operate on routes that pass near the airport.

Parking Facilities

Yes, Lagos Airport provides parking facilities for passengers and visitors. Parking rates vary depending on the duration of stay, with options ranging from hourly rates to overnight parking. The airport also offers corporate and protocol parking plans for frequent travellers or businesses.

Safety and Security

Petty and violent crime are prevalent and constitute the primary security threat for visitors to Nigeria. The threat of terrorism by both transnational and domestic organizations is a concern throughout Nigeria. Protests and street demonstrations occur frequently and often turn violent. Strikes are common occurrences and can affect services used by travelers, such as transportation. Militancy is a serious security concern, primarily in the southeastern oil-producing region. Maritime piracy incidents off the Nigerian coast in the Gulf of Guinea are increasing in frequency and pose a risk to maritime operators and oil exporters in the region. Sectarian violence is common in Nigeria due to the country's ethnic and religious diversity, as well as economic disparities between various groups. Corruption is rampant in Nigeria and exacerbates security concerns.

Additional Information

The airport includes the headquarters of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria. It also houses the head office of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, formerly just its Lagos office; and the head office of the Accident Investigation Bureau. Arik Air's head office is in the Arik Air Aviation Center on the grounds of the airport. At one time Nigeria Airways had its head office in Airways House on the airport property.