Her remarks were shared in a TikTok video in which she reflected on her arrival experience, highlighting what she described as a more organised environment and improved professionalism among airport staff.
‘From confusion to order’ — traveller highlights major changes
Gladys said her earlier experience at the airport had been confusing and stressful, noting that she got lost during her previous visit. However, she expressed surprise at the level of order she encountered on her return.
According to her, the terminal now appears better structured and significantly easier to navigate, pointing to improved organisation within the facility.
“I was here two years ago, and I got lost in this airport. But coming just after two years, this place has changed. The airport is now more organised than before,” she said.
Allegations of extortion replaced by smoother passenger experience
One of the most striking differences she noted was the absence of what she described as extortion during her previous trip.
Gladys alleged that on her earlier visit, she was asked to pay in foreign currency during luggage collection, a practice she said did not occur on her most recent visit.
“Last time when I came, even to get my luggage, they were asking me for dollars, not naira, but dollars. But this time around, no one has asked me for any money at the airport,” she said.
She also added that airport staff were more welcoming and helpful, noting that assistance was readily offered without any requests for payment.
Ongoing reconstruction reshapes Lagos airport landscape
During her visit, Gladys observed that parts of the airport infrastructure she had previously used had been demolished and were undergoing reconstruction.
She described the ongoing work as evidence of significant investment in upgrading Nigeria’s aviation facilities, particularly in Lagos, the country’s busiest aviation hub.
“I’ve seen that the former airport I came to last time was demolished, and they’re trying to reconstruct another beautiful, nice airport for Nigeria in Lagos. Wow, this is amazing,” she said.
The development aligns with ongoing federal efforts to modernise airport infrastructure across the country, including terminal upgrades and broader aviation reforms.
Minister acknowledges progress, says reforms ongoing
Reacting to the broader improvements in the aviation sector, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, acknowledged that progress is being made, while stressing that more work remains ahead.
“Still a lot of work to do, but we are making steady progress,” he said.
His comments reflect ongoing reform initiatives aimed at improving passenger experience, reducing corruption risks, and upgrading airport infrastructure across Nigeria.
Passenger feedback highlights perception shift at MMIA
Gladys’ account adds to growing public commentary around visible changes at MMIA, particularly in terms of passenger processing, staff conduct, and infrastructure renewal.
Her experience suggests a shift in perception among international travellers, with improvements in service delivery and reduced reports of informal payments contributing to a more positive image of Nigeria’s main international gateway.
As reconstruction continues and broader aviation reforms take shape, the Lagos airport remains a focal point for assessing how far those improvements can be sustained over time.