FG Approves Five-Station Monorail Link To Lagos Airport

The Federal Government has approved the design of a proposed monorail system linking Ikeja Railway Station to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, as part of efforts to improve airport connectivity and modernise the country’s busiest aviation gateway.

The approval followed a review involving the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and engineering teams from both institutions.

According to the Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo, the proposed rail system will connect the Ikeja Railway Station, the terminus of the Lagos Red Line, to the new Terminal 1 of the international airport, which is currently undergoing reconstruction.

The project will feature five stations: Ikeja Station, Domestic Airport Station, Beesam Station, Toll Gate Station and MMIA Airport Station.

The proposed connection is expected to provide commuters and air travellers with an alternative means of accessing the airport, potentially reducing dependence on road transportation.

The proposed project is part of broader plans to integrate rail transportation with airport infrastructure in Lagos, allowing passengers to connect more conveniently between the city’s railway network and airport terminals.

The Lagos Red Line provides a rail connection between parts of the metropolis, with Ikeja serving as a key interchange point. Extending rail access to the airport would link air travel more directly with the city’s public transportation system.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria had previously disclosed plans for a rail connection serving the airport’s terminals, cargo facilities and other operational areas. FAAN Managing Director, Olubunmi Onabanjo-Kuku, said in October 2026 that discussions on financing the proposed airport rail project were at an advanced stage.

The planned rail connection comes amid a major overhaul of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, particularly Terminal 1, whose ageing facilities are being rebuilt and modernised.

FAAN said the rehabilitation includes structural improvements, redesigned passenger movement areas and upgrades to electrical, mechanical, security and other essential systems. The project is intended to improve operational efficiency, safety and the overall passenger experience.

The airport’s redevelopment also includes changes to road access and connections between terminals to ease passenger movement and improve airport operations.