NAMA Yet to Deploy Mobile Control Tower After Airport Fire

Nearly three weeks after a fire incident on February 23, 2026, at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has yet to deploy a mobile control tower. The existing control tower was severely affected by the fire, which has led to significant safety breaches in air traffic control.

Aviation experts have expressed concerns that the absence of a control tower compromises the ability to monitor aircraft movements across the airport, as the current fire station's small tower cannot oversee 30% of the airport. The situation is critical, as it hampers the sequencing of landings and takeoffs, potentially endangering flight operations.

NAMA officials confirmed that the mobile tower's deployment is urgent, especially given the airport's daily aircraft movement of 264, according to 2019 data. FAAN has approved a location for the mobile tower, which requires scaffolding to elevate it for better visibility.

Experts are surprised by the delay in deploying the mobile tower, emphasizing the need for immediate action to ensure safety.