Speaking on Monday at the opening of the Invest Lagos 3.0 summit, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said plans are underway to extend the Lagos rail line to connect major aviation points, including Ikeja, the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MM2), and the international terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
According to him, the project is designed to strengthen multimodal transport connectivity and improve passenger movement across Nigeria’s busiest aviation corridor.
“Lagos is ready for the next big step in aviation development,” he said.
He added:
“The rail extension project will further enhance connectivity and support the state’s growing status as a regional aviation hub.”
Keyamo also highlighted ongoing federal investment in aviation infrastructure, revealing that President Bola Tinubu has approved a $500 million allocation for the comprehensive modernisation and reconstruction of the Lagos international airport.
“This is not borrowed money. It is an investment from the nation’s resources aimed at transforming a fifty-year-old airport into a world-class aviation hub,” he said.
He further stated that Nigerians and international travellers should expect significant improvements within the next 22 months, noting that the project is part of a broader strategy to reposition Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Beyond infrastructure upgrades, the minister said the administration is also focused on encouraging private sector participation and resolving longstanding investment disputes within the aviation ecosystem.
Keyamo described Lagos as Nigeria’s leading aviation gateway, stating that the state handles about 67 percent of international passenger traffic into the country. He emphasized its strategic geographic location, noting that flights from Lagos can reach Europe, the Middle East, Southern Africa, and South America within roughly six hours.
He argued that this advantage positions Lagos to evolve into a major aviation hub for the continent, potentially competing with established centres such as Addis Ababa.
Commending Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for policies that support investment and private sector growth, Keyamo also encouraged investors to explore opportunities across both federal and state aviation projects, including a proposed airport development along the Lekki corridor.