…Demand system overhaul at MMIA
By Chinenye Anuforo
Frustration and anger boiled over at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos recently as Nigerian citizens encountered chaotic scenes at the arrival terminal.
Airport officials responsible for processing entry documents were accused of bypassing established queues and prioritizing certain individuals, sparking outrage and calls for a complete overhaul of the airport’s arrival procedures.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene where, instead of attending to passengers in the order of their arrival, some officials were seen ushering people from the back of the line to the front, effectively cutting them off. This preferential treatment ignited anger among those who had patiently waited their turn, some for an hour after long international flights.
“It was utterly disgraceful,” recounted a Nigerian returning from London, who identified himself simply as Tijani. “We were all tired and just wanted to get home, but these officials were blatantly disregarding the queue, pulling people from the back. It’s disrespectful to everyone who was waiting patiently.”
“The situation quickly escalated, with frustrated passengers voicing their discontent and demanding fair treatment. The arrival counter descended into chaos, marked by shouting matches and heated exchanges between travelers and officials. The timely intervention of security personnel prevented the situation from spiraling further out of control.”
This incident has brought to light alleged systemic issues at the Lagos airport, with many travelers expressing deep disappointment over the treatment they received. Several individuals who spoke to our correspondent, including a Nigerian businessman who arrived from Dubai, Mr. Okey Nwachukwu, shared contrasting experiences of passing through other international airports where they were treated with respect and efficiency, regardless of their nationality.
“I travel frequently and have seen many airports, but I’ve never witnessed such blatant disregard for order and fairness. In other countries, everyone is treated equally. There’s a clear system, and everyone adheres to it. Here, it seems like it’s a free-for-all,” Nwachukwu shared.
Adding to the chorus of discontent, a Nigerian woman returning from South Africa, who identified herself as Mrs. Obi Evelyn, offered practical suggestions. “If they are short-staffed, they should employ more people. This kind of crowd management is clearly not working. We’re not asking for special treatment, just a fair and organized system,” she stated.
“We are Nigerians, and we deserve to be treated with respect in our own country,” said a visibly upset woman who arrived from South Africa. “This kind of behaviour is unacceptable and needs to stop. We hope that the authorities will take swift action to rectify the situation and ensure that such incidents do not happen again.”
Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Oluseyi Johnson, who arrived from Paris, France, pointed to the technological solutions implemented in other airports. “Many countries have automated systems for immigration and customs,” he explained. “They use scanners and mobile apps to streamline the process, minimizing queues and human error. Why can’t we adopt similar solutions here? It’s 2025; we need to embrace technology to improve efficiency.”
The chaos at the Lagos airport has raised serious concerns about Nigeria’s image and the treatment of its returning citizens. Many travelers have called on airport authorities to address the issues of queue-jumping and preferential treatment, urging them to implement a more organized and transparent system that ensures fairness for all.
Furthermore, Nwachukwu stressed that the incident serves as a serious reminder of the urgent need for reform within Nigeria’s aviation sector, highlighting the gap between current practices and international best practices. “While infrastructure improvements are important, a fundamental shift in attitude and the adoption of modern technologies are crucial to ensure all travelers are treated with dignity and respect,” he suggested.