An American tourist and Ifa devotee, Nathan Lugo, recently took to social media to share his experience at Cotonou Cadjehoun International Airport in the Benin Republic, comparing it with his experience at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Nigeria.
In a post on his Facebook page, he expressed his positive impressions of the Cotonou airport, stating that it surpassed the Lagos airport in terms of quality and service.
He also highlighted the lack of discrimination he experienced as an Orisa devotee at the Cotonou airport, in contrast to his encounters at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos.
He wrote:
“I’ve been to Yorùbáland on the Benin Republic side on several occasions for several years now. My first time was in 2018.
“But, this was my first time flying directly into Cotonou, Benin Republic, and flying directly out of Cotonou, Benin Republic.
And, just for a frame of reference, I’ve been flying to Yorùbáland on the Nigeria side ANNUALLY through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport of Lagos since 1998…Annually since 1998! That is 25 years!!!
“Last year I flew through the airport of Lagos in and out 4 times throughout the year. One thing I can say is that there are massive differences between the Cotonou Cadjehoun International Airport and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport – Lagos.
“The airport in Cotonou is puny by comparison. It also has a pleasant design. The inside of the airport is clean. Their bathrooms are clean and fully functional with soap dispensers and hand dryers. Its car park is clean.
“There aren’t ọmọ ìta, like the ones in the airport in Lagos, all around trying to hustle you. The staff were balanced in their demeanor, professional, and friendly.
“Did I mention that the air-conditioning system at both the departure and arrival areas of the airport at Cotonou works? Yes, their a/c works!!! They are not making human suya out of travelers leaving the country. Can you imagine that???
“And, both at the airport and most everywhere else throughout the Benin Republic, I felt overwhelmingly safe and like I was in any other country where people seemed “normal”, for lack of a better word.
“Here is the most important part: Not one customs official nor immigration officer nor airline staff tried to ask for a bribe nor extort money from me nor ask “what did you bring for me.” No one.!!! Is that not a normal airport?
“From now on I believe I will be calling the airport at Lagos the ‘Murtala Muhammed Flying Circus of Lagos.’ To our ‘yOu CaNnOt CoMpArE bEnIn RePuBlIc To NiGeRiA’ people – You are absolutely 100% correct!!!
Accompanying his thoughts, he shared a series of photos capturing his time at the Cotonou airport, providing visual evidence of his claims.
His post has garnered attention and sparked discussions among social media users, with many expressing their agreement or sharing their own contrasting experiences at the two airports.
