Federal Government Plans Rail Link From Ikeja to Lagos Airport, Says Keyamo
The Federal Government has unveiled plans to extend the existing rail line terminating at Ikeja to both the domestic and international terminals of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, as part of efforts to improve connectivity and strengthen Lagos’ position as a leading aviation hub in Africa.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this on Monday during the opening ceremony of Invest Lagos 3.0.
According to the minister, the proposed rail extension is being developed in partnership with the Lagos State Government to ease transportation challenges and improve 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 General Aviation Terminal (GAT), the local terminal and the international airport.
“That rail line project is about to commence. It is an extension of the existing rail line, and we are working closely with the Lagos State Government on it,” Keyamo said.
The minister noted that Lagos remains Nigeria’s busiest aviation gateway, accounting for about 67 per cent of all international passenger traffic into the country.
“Lagos State is one of the busiest, if not the busiest, air traffic hubs in Africa. Sixty-seven per cent of air passengers entering Nigeria come through Lagos.
“Out of all the operational international airports in the country, 67 per cent of passengers arrive through Lagos State, which underscores the attractiveness and strategic importance of Lagos to Nigeria,” he said.
Keyamo also highlighted Lagos’ geographical advantage, describing the state as ideally positioned to serve as a major aviation hub for the African continent.
“In terms of geography, Lagos is equidistant to most major capitals across the world. In about six hours across the Atlantic, you can reach South America. Six hours southward takes you to Southern Africa. Six hours eastward brings you to the Middle East, including Dubai and Qatar, while six hours northward takes you to Europe, including France and London.
“That is the unique geographical advantage Lagos offers as a hub for the whole of Africa,” he stated.
The minister expressed confidence that Lagos would soon compete favourably with some of Africa’s established aviation hubs, including Addis Ababa in Ethiopia and Lomé in Togo.
“We will soon catch up with hubs like Addis Ababa and even Togo because of the strategic investments currently being made in the aviation sector,” he said.
Keyamo further revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved a $500 million investment for the rehabilitation and modernisation of the Lagos airport.
“The President has approved $500 million—not borrowed funds, but resources drawn from the country’s savings—to rebuild the Lagos airport.
“That investment is transforming the airport, which is more than 50 years old, into a modern aviation hub. Nigerians will be proud of what they will see in Lagos over the next 22 months,” he added.
The minister also disclosed that the administration had resolved a long-standing dispute involving a private investor linked to airport operations in Lagos, describing the move as part of broader efforts to create a more investor-friendly business environment.
He urged both local and international investors to take advantage of emerging opportunities in the aviation sector, including the proposed airport project in the Lekki corridor.
“I invite investors to explore opportunities not only at the federal government-owned airport in Lagos but also in the private airport project being developed by the Lagos State Government in the Lekki corridor,” Keyamo said.