Thirteen steps

Trying to leave Nigeria is a complete nightmare. Forget all of the visa issues (that would be a separate blog entry in itself), the departure process at Abuja airport is like nothing I have ever experienced before (much like most things in this country!) The following is a summary of the steps you need to go through:

1. Arrive at the airport and show your passport to people outside the main departure lounge for British Airways flights
2. Go through a scan machine (with all your hold and hand luggage)
3. Go to see the lady with the scales and have your bag(s) weighed
4. Take the ticket you are given with the weight of your luggage and walk across to the people in uniform and have your hold luggage searched (and show your passport again)
5. Go to the person sitting at the desk before the check-in desks and show them your passport
6. Go to the check-in desk
7. Go to the immigration desk and give them the form you have previously completed and have your passport checked
8. Go to the foreign currency declaration desk and given them the second form that you have completed
9. Go upstairs and go through security with all your hand luggage (including a full body scanner)
10. Go to the next person sat waiting who wants to check your passport and boarding pass
11. Go to the next person sat waiting who wants to check your boarding pass and tears off the main part, giving you the stub
12. Go through to the final departure lounge and have your hand luggage checked at Desk 1
13. Walk 4 metres further into the room and have your hand luggage checked all over again at Desk 2

Thirteen steps. In addition to this, the two times I have flown out of Abuja I have been stopped numerous times by random police/immigration/army men who want to check my passport and ask me what my mission is in Nigeria, how long I am staying for, where I am flying to, and the list goes on. The world’s most complicated departure process?

I know that they need to be careful, Nigeria hasn’t exactly had the best few months in terms of security, but when it comes to having your hand luggage checked for the fifth time, you do start to wonder if it’s actually serving any purpose.