Nigerian travellers can now access free high-speed internet at major airports, following the launch of a nationwide airport Wi-Fi service by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) in partnership with MTN Nigeria.
The rollout, part of a public-private initiative to modernise aviation infrastructure, began Thursday at Terminal 2 of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos and simultaneously at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Abdullahi Zubeir Mahmood, director of Airport Operations, representing FAAN’s managing director, at the Lagos launch, described the service as a milestone in connecting Nigeria’s airports to the digital economy.
Mahmood noted that airports have evolved beyond transit points into centres of economic and social activity where digital connectivity is now essential.
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He said the introduction of free, reliable, high speed internet would significantly improve passenger experience by enabling travellers to work, communicate, and access vital information seamlessly while in transit.
“For too long, passengers have experienced the frustration of being disconnected when connectivity mattered most. With this launch, we are transforming waiting time into productive time and replacing frustration with functionality,” he said.
Mahmood added that the partnership with MTN Nigeria demonstrates the value of public-private collaboration in delivering modern infrastructure without relying solely on government funding. He noted that the project aligns with the Federal Government’s digital economy agenda and ongoing reforms in the aviation sector.
According to him, the current deployment marks the first phase of a wider rollout. FAAN plans to extend the free Wi-Fi service to the temporary terminal at MMIA, followed by international airports in Enugu, Port Harcourt, and Kano. “Our ambition is clear; no Nigerian airport should remain an offline island in a digital world,” Mahmood said.
Lynda Saint Nwafor, chief enterprise business officer at MTN Nigeria, said the initiative highlights the strength of public-private partnerships in improving service delivery and supporting national infrastructure development.
She noted that connectivity has become an enabler of modern living, whether for business, access to information, staying in touch with loved ones, or productive use of time while travelling.
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“We are proud to launch free Wi-Fi service across major airports in Nigeria, delivered in partnership with FAAN. This initiative reflects our shared commitment to improving passenger experience, enhancing accessibility, and demonstrating what shared value means to us at MTN,” she said.
Nwafor described airports as gateways to opportunity where travellers, airport personnel, and service providers all require seamless and dependable connectivity. She said passengers can now stay connected freely and effortlessly while waiting to board, in transit, or upon arrival.
She disclosed that MTN will conduct on-ground engagement activities over the next month at MMIA and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to drive awareness and encourage usage, adding that the connection process has been designed to be simple and intuitive, with support teams available to assist passengers.
Beyond basic internet access, she explained that the Wi-Fi platform is an analytics enabled solution that provides insights into usage patterns, peak periods, and customer behaviour within airport environments, while complying with data protection and privacy requirements.
FAAN and MTN expressed optimism that the partnership would continue to deliver long term value, positioning Nigerian airports in line with global best practices and supporting Nigeria’s broader digital and economic transformation agenda.
