A seemingly simple question about airport trolleys has triggered a lively debate among Nigerians online, after Bolanle Cole posted on X that baggage trolleys at London Heathrow and Toronto Pearson are free, while those at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos cost as much as ₦2,500.

What appeared to be a straightforward comparison quickly evolved into a broader discussion about infrastructure, transparency and the realities of international travel.

Almost immediately, several respondents pushed back against the claim that Heathrow trolleys are free. Sanusi Bolaji Emmanuel stated that he had used both Heathrow and Birmingham airports and paid for trolleys.

Tunji Michael insisted Heathrow trolleys are not free, while Sunday Owolabi noted that Gatwick charges £1, specifically requiring a coin. El-suraj Shittu recalled paying around £5 at Birmingham, adding that he even had to ask someone for help because he could not use his card.

Samson Olukayode also mentioned that small trolleys at Manchester and Gatwick cost a pound. Yet, the conversation did not stop there. Oke Olugbemiga offered a more nuanced perspective, saying that at Heathrow Terminal 5, particularly when flying British Airways, he has never paid for a trolley.

Others suggested that Heathrow operates a mixed model, where certain terminals or zones provide free trolleys while others require a refundable coin deposit. In other words, the experience appears to depend heavily on where exactly a passenger arrives or departs.

Meanwhile, the situation at Toronto Pearson International Airport seems clearer. According to available confirmation, baggage carts in Terminals 1 and 3 are free, sponsored by CIBC.

The sponsorship arrangement reportedly began in 2014; prior to that, passengers paid around CAD $2 or used a refundable deposit system in some areas. Hardesodun Michael acknowledged that not all Pearson trolleys were historically free but confirmed that they are currently free in major terminals.

This means that, unlike Heathrow’s mixed reports, Pearson’s present-day policy is more straightforward: passengers can access carts without direct payment in the main terminals.

In contrast, travellers describe a different experience at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. Multiple contributors stated that small trolleys cost around ₦500, while larger cart-style trolleys can cost up to ₦2,500.

Others clarified that what passengers often pay for at MMIA may actually be porter assistance rather than the trolley itself, an important distinction that is not always obvious to first-time travellers.

Nonetheless, from a passenger’s perspective, the practical outcome remains the same: there is a cost attached to moving luggage, whether labelled as a trolley fee or a porter charge.

Beyond the specifics of airport trolley fees, the exchange revealed deeper tensions around national comparison. Some respondents criticised what they saw as a habit of contrasting Nigeria with Western countries at every opportunity.

One commenter argued that while there may be numerous systemic issues, trolley pricing at MMIA should not be exaggerated as one of them. On the other hand, others maintained that international travel exposes structural differences in public service delivery, funding models and customer experience.

A particularly pointed remark suggested that wealthier countries can afford to subsidise services, while Nigeria operates on the assumption that citizens can absorb additional costs.

When the claims are examined carefully, the picture becomes more balanced. Heathrow does not appear to offer universally free trolleys across all terminals and circumstances, though some areas, such as Terminal 5, may provide them without charge.

Toronto Pearson currently offers free carts in its main terminals due to corporate sponsorship. Murtala Muhammed International Airport, by contrast, involves charges that range from hundreds to thousands of naira, depending on the type of trolley or assistance required.

Ultimately, what began as a debate over ₦2,500 highlights something more significant: differences in funding structures, airport management models and public expectations. For Nigerians travelling between the UK, Canada and Nigeria, these variations shape first impressions and influence perceptions of efficiency and value.

As such, before drawing sweeping conclusions, it is worth checking terminal-specific policies and understanding the context behind each airport’s system. In travel, as in public discourse, the details matter.