MMA2 Enters New Commercial Era

Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), a sprawling commercial hub within Lagos’ airport environment, has evolved into a multi-service airport business. It supports airline operations and caters to passengers with retail outlets, restaurants, parking, lounges, cargo services, and other businesses. The terminal’s development began in 2003 when the federal government awarded a 36-year concession to Bi-Courtney Limited to develop, finance, manage, and operate MMA2 and its ancillary assets.

A decade post-opening, MMA2’s commercial activity extends beyond passenger and aircraft movement. It has a capacity for four million passengers annually, processing over 50 flights daily to domestic destinations and handling about 75% of Lagos’ domestic flights. The commercial ecosystem around the terminal includes shops, restaurants, lounges, parking services, advertising, and more.

Cargo has emerged as another revenue stream for MMA2. The terminal operates a digital cold-storage facility designed for temperature-sensitive goods, including perishable food products and pharmaceuticals. The 13-tonne walk-in chiller and 12-tonne walk-in freezer allow MMA2 to store temperature-sensitive cargo pre- and post-arrival, placing it within the aviation value chain and intersecting with logistics, pharmaceuticals, food distribution, and other time-sensitive industries.

Other services have also expanded around the terminal. A 24-hour medical centre operates in the arrival hall, and parking facilities, lounges, and other passenger services form part of MMA2’s broader commercial offering. The MMA2 Training Academy, accredited by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, provides aviation security, safety, and other professional training.

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A long-running dispute between the federal government and Bi-Courtney over the terminal’s concession has been a backdrop to these developments. The 20-year dispute involved legal and commercial battles over the terms and scope of the concession. It was settled in 2026, resetting the commercial relationship between the federal government and Bi-Courtney.

The settlement saw Bi-Courtney relinquish its claim to a N132 billion judgment debt and its exclusivity rights over private airport development within a defined area of Lagos. Control of the existing domestic terminal, MM1, was returned to the federal government, while Bi-Courtney continues to operate MMA2 under the concession arrangement.

With the dispute resolved, MMA2 now looks towards a new phase. The focus shifts to the commercial performance and development of the airport asset. The terminal’s commercial model depends heavily on maintaining and growing passenger traffic while improving the range and quality of services available to users. The challenge is for MMA2 to continue to deepen its role as a commercial hub while delivering the aviation infrastructure and passenger services required to support Lagos’ expanding domestic air travel market.