American Ifa devotee has explained why Cotonou airport is far better than the Lagos airport.
I’ve been to Yorübáland on the Benin Republic on several occasions for several years now. My first time was in 2018. But, this was my first flying directly into Cotonou, Benin Republic and flying directly out of Cotonou, Benin Republic. And, just for frame of reference, I’ve been flying to Yorübaland 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.¡ablogyia
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 carpark is clean. There aren’t mo ita, like the ones in the airport in Lagos, all around trying to hustle you. The staff were balanced in their demeanor, professional, and friendly. In walking distance from 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 Origà devotee / onísèse (the kind of religious discrimination that I more frequently than not have experienced at the airport in Lagos). Benin Republic in general values its indigenous cultural and religious identity more than their nigerian neighbors that give preferencial treatment to foreign religions of middle eastern origin.
Just so you are aware, at the airport I try to dress and behave as discreetly as possible to not draw attention to my self other than the obvious. And, both at the airport and most everywhere else throughout Benin Republic, I felt overwhelmingly safe and like I was at any other country where people seemed “normal”, for lack of a better word. 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 bEnln RePuBlic To NiGeRiA” people – You are absolutely 100% correct.
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