By 𝔸bdulrazak Tomiwa

Operations at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos were temporarily disrupted on Tuesday following an electrical spark at Terminal 3.

The incident, which occurred around 2:05 pm, caused smoke to billow from an operational office, sparking panic among passengers and airport staff.

The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed the incident in an official statement to address the situation. The authority noted that, “The Temporary Terminal of MMIA was briefly shut down following an electrical spark in an operational office, which resulted in smoke emission at about 14:05 hours.”

To ensure the safety of travelers and maintain order, the airport management immediately diverted all scheduled flights from the affected area. Passengers were redirected to Terminal 2 to prevent significant delays in flight schedules while emergency teams assessed the extent of the spark and the resulting smoke.

The Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Services were deployed to the scene and successfully contained the incident before it could escalate. Authorities reassured the public that the situation was under control and that no casualties or injuries were recorded during the brief period of chaos.

Maintenance teams were subsequently dispatched to the terminal to carry out repairs and ensure the integrity of all systems. FAAN emphasized that these repairs are necessary to prevent a recurrence and to guarantee that all electrical systems are functioning optimally before the terminal is reopened to the public.

This incident marks another addition to the recurring power-related challenges at Nigeria’s busiest airport. In recent years, the facility has faced several electrical issues and blackouts, including a notable power outage in February 2026 that affected Terminal 1 shortly before a fire incident occurred.