The Federal Government has disclosed plans to extend the existing rail line terminating at Ikeja to both the domestic and international wings of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos as part of efforts to improve connectivity and strengthen Lagos’ position as a major aviation hub in Africa.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, made the disclosure on Monday during the opening ceremony of Invest Lagos 3.0.
According to the minister, the proposed rail extension was being developed in collaboration with the Lagos State Government to ease transportation challenges and enhance access to the airport.
“We are 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 GAT, the local, and all the way to the international airport.
“That rail line is about to start. It is the extension of the rail line, and we’re working with the Lagos State Government on that,” Keyamo said.
The minister noted that Lagos remains Nigeria’s busiest aviation gateway, accounting for about 67 per cent of international passenger traffic into the country.
“Lagos State is one of the busiest, if not the busiest, traffic hubs in terms of air traffic in Africa. Sixty-seven per cent of entry into Nigeria by air is through Lagos State.
“Out of the operational international airports we have, 67 per cent of passengers come in through Lagos State, and that tells you the attractiveness of Lagos State in Nigeria,” he stated.
Keyamo also highlighted Lagos’ strategic geographical position, saying the state is well placed to serve as a major aviation hub for the African continent.
“In terms of geography, Lagos is equidistant to most of the major capitals across the world. Just six hours across the Atlantic, you’ll get to South America from Lagos. 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’ll get to Europe, either France or London.
“That is the equidistant advantage that Lagos provides as a hub for the whole of Africa,” he said.
The minister expressed confidence that Lagos would soon rival established aviation hubs across Africa, including those in Ethiopia and Togo.
“We will soon catch up with hubs like Addis Ababa and even Togo because of the investments being made in the aviation sector,” he added.
Keyamo further revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved a $500 million investment for the rehabilitation and upgrade of the Lagos airport.
“The President has approved $500 million, not money borrowed, but from the savings of the country, to rebuild the airport in Lagos.
“That investment is transforming the airport, which is over 50 years old, into a modern aviation hub. Nigerians will be proud of what they will see in Lagos in the next 22 months,” he said.
He also disclosed that the administration had resolved a two-decade dispute involving a private investor linked to airport operations in Lagos, describing it as part of broader efforts to create an investor-friendly environment.
Keyamo urged local and international investors to take advantage of emerging opportunities in Lagos’ aviation sector, including the proposed airport project in the Lekki corridor.
“I invite you to invest not only in the federal government-owned airport in Lagos but also in the private airport that Lagos State is trying to develop in the Lekki corridor,” he said.
