My funny experience at Cotonou International Airport
It is no more news that for some months, Nigerians can not travel to Dubai directly from Nigeria. This because of the issues between Emirate Airline, the Nigerian and the UAE government.

In the last few months, travelling to Dubai from Nigeria which used to be very easy has all of a sudden become a nightmare. To go on this trip, you will have to go through other countries and one of the easiest being Ghana and the Republic of Benin. This is because the two countries are our closest neighbours.

I have read several stories about different issues people have had in the Republic of Benin and Ghana. One of the popular stories was shared by Derende here https://www.nairaland.com/6544747/30-days-sojourn-through-cotonou
Sometimes this month, A client contacted me to help him process a three months Dubai visa and also to plan his itinerary to Dubai via Benin republic. I processed the Dubai visa, booked the flight, then we headed straight to the Republic of Benin. I think he just got a sweet offer in Dubai.

To cut a long story short, on his travel date, we got to Cotonou Cadjehoun Airport. The Benin Airport is less rowdy, less congested and looking well maintained. That was when I got the shocks of my life. Firstly, the majority of the people going to Dubai from the Cotonou Cadjehoun Airport were Nigerians.

As we were driving into the car park, I realize most of the people doing bureau de change are Nigerians. We changed some money and headed straight to the departure. I met lots of Nigerians at the waiting area. You will almost think it is another branch of Murtala Muhammed International airport located in Lagos. Then the worst happened, as we were heading in, we saw 4 Nigerians coming out, at first I thought they were coming back. Only to get to the queue and we were told they were denied boarding. I got more curious, on further investigation, I later got to know that they backdated the date they got in, not knowing that The republic of Benin had changed their stamp. Unfortunate for them, they backdated with the new stamp.

I also saw another Nigerian who was arrested at the airport because he was trying to board with a fake visa. I can not believe someone would try to do that. I think the person he paid gave him a fake visa. He got locked up for some days. This is really painful.
Then the last set of Nigerians that were rejected either have damaged passports or International passport with a picture that is not clear. The last sets of Nigerians that got denied were people who got late to the checking point.
Here are the major reasons why you could get denied boarding at the Cotonou Airport.

Reasons for the rejection
1. Damaged passport: Any passport with stains, a picture that is not clear, damaged on any part of the data page is automatic rejection.

2. Fake visa: Please always try to confirm the validity of your passport. There was a passport that I saw which the user had mark on its left eye, she was rejected. Some one claim they are rejecting it on purpose just to frustrate Nigerians. LOL

3. Fake stamp: Please ensure you always stamp at the border, do not pay touts to stamp for you.

4. Backdated stamp: YOu are supposed to spend two weeks minimum at the Cotonou Airport before you are allowed to travel.

5. Expired covid 19 test: Please ensure you do your Covid 19 test on time so you can get the result on time.


Things to note when visiting Dubai through the Republic of Benin
1. you must spend a minimum of 2 weeks in the Republic of Benin
2. To be on the safe side, Make sure you stamp in Seme border rather than Idiroko border, I heard so many people are having issues at Idiroko when they arrive in Dubai.
3. Confirm your Visa validity online.
4. Get to the airport at least three hours before your flight
5. Do a VIP covid 19 test. You will get your result the same day.
6. If you can get an agent that is familiar with the route to help you out. It will save you lots of money in the long run.
7. Please get familiar with their currency , read more here about their currency here https://www.nairaland.com/6553232/comparing-nigerian-naira-benin-republic


Please ensure you follow all Covid 19 protocols, please try to do the right thing because once you are caught they will ensure you face the law. Have you had a similar experience? Please share below.

https://www.travelwaka.com/what-nigerians-travelling-to-dubai-through-cotonou-go-through/

Lalasticlala see what Nigerians are going through at the Benin Republic Airport enroute Dubai

Thanks for info. Pls I want to ask maybe is true, someone told me I will produce the receipt of hotel reservation for the two weeks I have spend in Cotonou before they will allow me to fly, abeg is it true?

Kai...see how our government has finished us...BTW, who go fit lap me for plane so?. I need transport through that thing ooo...devil is a liar...

An eye opener... thanks op

It is so sad that our so called great country is now a sleeping nation...

shout out to those who read ops epistle

Is true. What people normally do is that u will settle the hotel people so that the can give u two weeks hotel receipt with that u are good to go. Is really not east cus the person will spend alot of money both backdating the stamp, hotel accommodation and settling both immigration, Airline attendance and hotel people.

Tentackle:
Thanks for info. Pls I want to ask maybe is true, someone told me I will produce the receipt of hotel reservation for the two weeks I have spend in Cotonou before they will allow me to fly, abeg is it true?

No sensible country will allow a citizen of another country to board using her airport except the person is on transit or the person have been living in that country for a while.

Any way na way. Ghana airports protocols are more relaxed tho

Only those with sense will stay in their county
Including una presido!

Stay in one place and make good use of your opportunities.

;(modified)
Someone telling me how its only northerners benefit from recruitments. As at 2013 only 5% of northerners work in the aviation industry.

Whoever knows abuja from 93-99 knows that whoever rules the country have his/her people in govt. i dont want to hear about nonsense discussions concerning how the president is nepotic. When it was yaradua - most vehicles in abuja were katsina plates. When it was jonathan it was mostly SS/SE PLATES. So please dont come with that bull of nepotism in nigeria. We all benefited from “connection” one way or the other.

To say the least, getting food at canteen in school always have its “connect” too.

It's a pity our people have to go through all these for greener pastures. May God crown all our efforts towards survival someday.

Please, I need advice from people with travel experience: https://www.nairaland.com/6624599/colleague-needs-advice-how-go

Plan b

It is well

Check the latest topic on my profile, you might be able to help

.

We plenty here

N for nawa

Moral of the story? Buhari has finished us as a people and nobody should run to anywhere. We must suffer everything together

Hehe

When you refuse to fight as a Real Man to make your Land your Home!

People in Dubai did not give up their ancestral Lands to intruders like shameless cowards. Fight to chase out Invaders and love and Unite your Tribe People enough to Work together with Vision to make your Land greater than Dubai so that others can travel to your New Nation as Tourists. Even Canada was a mere Bush till the people there made up their mind to turn it to Heaven on Earth.

travelling through Senegal is better

The gang up is only beginning.

When you shut border against them what were you thinking?

I pity the poor masses that always suffer either ways

Why

It's not funny o

Who send them message?