The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has issued a travel advisory directive, announcing a temporary–partial closure of a key airport access road to facilitate the annual fitness exercise of the Nigerian Air Force. The move is designed to ensure the safety of participants and the public, with authorities emphasizing that flight operations will remain unaffected.
The affected route is the vital road network, connecting the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2), which primarily serves domestic carriers, to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA). The closure is scheduled to accommodate the Air Force’s annual 10-kilometre walk and jog exercise, which is set to commence at 6:00 AM.
In an official statement released on Friday, FAAN moved to reassure the traveling public and airport users. “This partial closure does not in any way disrupt airport operations, as scheduled flights would operate normally,” the authority confirmed. To minimize disruption, FAAN also assured that “the access roads would be completely opened immediately after the exercise.”
However, the agency raised a concern that passengers and other airport users should anticipate “localised traffic disruptions may occur around the airport vicinity during the exercise.” Therefore, commuters are strongly advised to be ready to face delays when planning their journeys to the airport, allowing for extra travel time to avoid missing flights.
FAAN added that in a bid to manage the anticipated flow of vehicles and ensure public safety, a robust traffic management plan will be put in place. This deployment is expected to help streamline movement and provide guidance to motorists navigating the altered traffic patterns.
“During this period, security personnel would be deployed along access roads to direct traffic and ensure safety,” FAAN stated.
Recognizing the potential inconvenience, the aviation authority expressed regret over any disruptions the temporary measure may cause.
FAAN further solicited public support and cooperation during the period, framing the short–time closure as a necessary step for a sanctioned military event.
The proactive communication from FAAN aim to provide stakeholders with sufficient notice to adjust their logistics. The clear distinction between road traffic adjustments and uninterrupted flight operations is a key part of the message, seeking to prevent any unwarranted panic or confusion among passengers booked on flights from either terminal.
The partial closure underscores the ongoing need to balance critical infrastructure access with sanctioned national events. With security personnel on the ground to direct traffic and the promise of a swift return to normalcy post-exercise, FAAN aims to mitigate the impact on the thousands of passengers and workers who rely on the airport’s road network daily.