FAAN, MTN launch free WiFi services at Lagos, Abuja international airports

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has, in partnership with MTN Nigeria, launched a free wifi service at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport’s Terminal 2 in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, with plans to extend coverage to the airport’s temporary terminal and other international airports within three months.

FAAN’s Managing Director, Olubunmi Kuku, represented by Director of Airport Operations Captain Abdullahi Mahmood, unveiled the service alongside Lynda Saint-Nwafor, MTN Nigeria’s Chief Enterprise Business Officer.

The WiFi is completely free for all passengers and airport users.

Fixing a long-standing frustration

Anyone who has spent time at Nigerian airports relates to the connectivity struggle. Mobile data can be spotty inside terminals, roaming charges hit international travellers hard, and there’s been no reliable free option for passengers who need to check flight updates, respond to emails, or stay in touch with family.

Captain Mahmood called the WiFi launch a milestone for digital infrastructure at Nigerian airports and proof that public-private partnerships can actually deliver results when done right. “This partnership with MTN Nigeria demonstrates how effective PPP alignment can modernise infrastructure and strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy,” he said.

The timing matters. Nigeria seeks to position itself as a regional travel hub with basic amenities like free airport WiFi, as is obtained in major airports worldwide. This has become essential rather than optional as global travellers expect connectivity as a baseline service, not a luxury.

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FAAN says rollout plans across other airports are in progress

FAAN says the service will expand to additional international airports over the next three months, though the agency hasn’t specified which locations come next. Port Harcourt, Kano, and Enugu international airports would be logical candidates given their passenger traffic.

MTN’s Saint-Nwafor said the network would be reliable, secure, and efficient for all users. She praised FAAN’s management for making the partnership work, noting that projects like this require coordination between government agencies and private companies that don’t always move at the same pace.

The initiative fits into the federal government’s broader infrastructure modernisation push under President Bola Tinubu and Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo. While free WiFi won’t fix airport infrastructure problems like outdated terminals or long security lines, it addresses one specific pain point passengers deal with every time they travel.

Lynda Saint-Nwafor, Chief Enterprise Business Officer of MTN Nigeria

For MTN, the partnership offers brand visibility in high-traffic locations and a chance to demonstrate network reliability to potential enterprise customers. For FAAN, it’s a relatively low-cost way to improve passenger experience without major capital expenditure, since MTN will manage the infrastructure and maintenance.

The real test will be whether the service actually works when hundreds of passengers try to connect simultaneously during peak travel hours.

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