The Federal Government and Bi-Courtney have ended a twenty-year legal battle over the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two, resolving a N132 billion debt claim that had clogged Nigeria's courts and stalled the facility's operations.
The settlement marks the first concrete step toward unlocking one of Lagos's most contentious aviation infrastructure disputes. Bi-Courtney, the company that designed, built, and operated MMA2 since 1998, had been locked in litigation with the government over unpaid concession fees, terminal access charges, and other contractual obligations. The debt had ballooned over two decades of disputes and counter-claims.
Neither party released detailed terms of the settlement, but sources close to the negotiation said both sides agreed to a structured payment arrangement that clears the government's outstanding liabilities while allowing Bi-Courtney to resume full operations at the terminal. The agreement was reached after months of mediation involving the aviation ministry, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, and representatives from both parties.
Bi-Courtney built MMA2 as a joint venture with the government under a concession agreement signed in 1996. The terminal was meant to ease congestion at the main Murtala Muhammed Airport terminal, but disputes over management fees and revenue sharing pushed the facility into a long legal standoff. Airlines operating from the terminal faced uncertainty about its future, and passengers endured cramped conditions in the aging main terminal while MMA2 sat underutilized.
The resolution comes as the government works to upgrade Nigeria's aviation infrastructure ahead of the busy festive season. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo has prioritized clearing legacy disputes that hamper airport operations. Officials said the settlement frees up capital that can now flow toward terminal maintenance and modernization.
Bi-Courtney said it would begin immediate improvements at MMA2, including repairs to runways, upgraded baggage handling systems, and expanded retail and food court facilities. The company has not disclosed the exact payment schedule but said it expects the first tranche within thirty days.
The settlement now awaits final approval from the Federal Executive Council, though sources indicated this is a formality. Once approved, both parties will begin executing the agreement within weeks.
