Gather around for some serious gist about how one trip to Dubai turned into a nightmare I’m still trying to forget...
You know how people say, "Never say never"? Well, let me be clear: I will never book an international flight from Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos again, no matter how cheap the ticket is or how tempting the destination may be. One bad experience was enough to last a lifetime.
So, a few years ago, I had plans to attend a wedding in Dubai. Well, technically, my friend who lives in England was going to the wedding and suggested we meet up there. Sounded like a perfect plan, right? I got my visa sorted, my friend booked a hotel, I even exchanged my money. I was ready for this trip!
Conveniently, I had an event in Lagos just a few days before the wedding. I figured, why not fly out from Lagos instead of heading back to Abuja? Two friends of mine were also heading to Dubai the same day, so we booked the same flight, thinking it would be fun to travel together.
Everything was looking smooth… until I stepped foot in Lagos’ Murtala Mohammed International Airport.
The Airport Drama Begins
Being the responsible traveler that I am (no jokes), I got to the airport early. My friends, on the other hand? Not so much. One was running late, and the other hadn’t even gotten her visa yet, so it was looking like I was on my own for this adventure.
Now, the thing about Lagos International Airport is that the “pre-flight process” feels more like an obstacle course. We hadn’t even gotten to immigration, and there I was, standing in line while some random man decided to rummage through my suitcase. Did he think I had drugs hidden in my underwear? I don’t know, but it sure seemed like it.
After enduring that nonsense, I finally got to immigration—or whatever section it was where they check your passport and visa. And that’s when the real drama started.
The Interrogation
So there I am, handing over my passport, visa, hotel booking, wedding invite—the whole shebang. The immigration officer, a woman who I swear must’ve watched too many movies, starts grilling me.
Her: “You’re going to Dubai? For what?”
Me: “For a wedding.” (At this point, I’m holding up the wedding invitation as proof).
Her: “Small girl like you, traveling alone? To Dubai?”
Me: “I’m not that small, and I’ve traveled alone before.”
Her: “You’re not afraid? Girls like you going to Dubai these days… what are you really going to do there?”
Oh boy, it was about to get worse.
The Audacity
I stayed calm and polite, even though I wanted to roll my eyes into another dimension. I showed her everything she asked for: my hotel details, my work ID, proof of funds—literally anything to prove I wasn’t a threat to national security.
But no, she wasn’t satisfied. I was so embarrassed as people were watching this play out. She kept asking condescending questions, like, “Where’s your family?” and “What are you going to Dubai for really?” As if I was up to something shady just because I’m Nigerian, female, and traveling solo.
After what felt like an eternity, she finally got to the point: “So, what are you leaving us with? You can’t leave us in this country with nothing.”
Ah, there it was. She wanted a bribe.
But I wasn’t going to give her a single kobo. I was this close to canceling my entire trip. Instead, I moved away from her counter, took a deep breath, and called my friend, who was finally at the airport. He has a foreign passport, so his experience getting through the checkpoints was a breeze. Lucky him.
The "Fiancé" Move
My friend walks up to me, and I quickly brief him on the situation. Without skipping a beat, he struts up to the immigration officer and declares, “This is my fiancée. Why is she still here? What’s the issue?”
Suddenly, her whole attitude changed.
Her: “Oh no sir, I was just checking her documents.”
Him: “But she already showed you everything. What more do you need? Apologize to her, or I’ll report you right now.”
The woman’s demeanor softened immediately. After some muttered apologies, she hands over my documents. But before we could walk away, she tries to make small talk: “Ah, two of you fit well together. How did you meet?”
We just stared at her. No thanks, lady. Give me my passport and let me go.
The Aftermath
As soon as I touched down in Dubai, I made a quick decision: I was not flying back to Lagos. I changed my return ticket to land in Abuja. No way was I going to subject myself to that kind of nonsense again.
Years later, I still haven’t stepped foot in Murtala Mohammed International Airport. And I don’t plan to anytime soon. That one experience was enough for me.
Meanwhile, I’ve flown out of Abuja international airport multiple times since, and I’ve never had a single issue. I arrive, I check in, I board—simple. None of that drama.
Moral of the Story
If you're traveling from Lagos International Airport, pack patience, a sense of humor, and maybe a "fiancé" to smooth things over. Or better yet, just fly from anywhere else if you can!
Trust me, it’s worth the peace of mind.
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