A tourist, Nathan Lugo, has shared his experience at Cotonou Cadjehoun International Airport in the Benin Republic, comparing it with the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, Nigeria.
In a recent post on his Facebook page, Lugo, an American Ifa devotee, noted that the Cotonou airport is better than the Lagos airport.
He also stated that he was not discriminated against as an Orisa devotee at the airport in Cotonou, as opposed to the MMIA in Lagos.
Sharing photos, 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 in Lagos since 1998. Annually since 1998! That is 25 years!!!
Lugo wrote, “Last year, I flew through the airport of Lagos in and out four times throughout the year. One thing I can say is that there are massive differences between the Cotonou Cadjehoun International Air station and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
“The air station 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 demeanour, professional, and friendly. Within walking distance of the airport in Cotonou, there are nice bars and restaurants similar to what I would find in Wynwood and other areas of South Florida.
“Also, going through security, there was no impression of religious discrimination as an Òrìṣà devotee / oníṣẹ̀ṣe (the kind of religious discrimination that I more frequently than not have experienced at the air station in Lagos).
“The Benin Republic in general values its indigenous cultural and religious identity more than their Nigerian neighbours, who give preferential treatment to foreign religions of Middle Eastern origin.
“Just so you are aware, at the air station, I try to dress and behave as discreetly as possible to not draw attention to myself other than the obvious.
“Did I mention that the air-conditioning system at both the departure and arrival areas of the air station at Cotonou works? Yes, their a/c works!!! They are not making human suya out of travellers leaving the country. Can you imagine that???
“And, both at the air station 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 an immigration officer nor airline staff tried to ask for a bribe, extort money from me, or ask, “What did you bring for me?” No one.!!! Is that not a normal air station?
“From now on, I believe I will be calling the airport in Lagos the ‘Murtala Muhammed Flying Circus of Lagos.’ To our ‘yOu CaNnOt CoMpArE bEnIn RePuBlIc To NiGeRiA’ people: You are absolutely 100% correct!!!”
