The National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) has pledged to advocate for a stronger international image of Nigeria while tackling pressing challenges facing the country’s travel trade.
Speaking at a press conference in Lagos to mark its 50th anniversary and announce its upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Ibadan this April, NANTA President Yinka Folami said the association would leverage its platform to correct misconceptions about Nigeria abroad. He cited previous advocacy at the World Travel Market (WTM), the International Trafficking and Terrorism Conference in Tokyo, and engagements with the Turkish government on visa restrictions as examples of NANTA’s global influence.
Folami criticized airlines that refuse to accept the Nigerian Naira for ticket sales, describing the practice as disrespectful to the country’s currency and sovereignty. “Give us an option to trade in our Naira. This is a market that is good, and this is a market that loves you,” he said, stressing the difference between offering dollar pricing as an option versus excluding Naira altogether, even when permitted under Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASA).
The association also highlighted tax challenges affecting travel agents. A board member explained that agents often handle large ticket revenues that pass directly to airlines, yet tax authorities assess the total turnover as agent income, resulting in an unfair tax burden. Folami further raised concerns over “airlines debit memos,” which impose additional charges on agents, threatening the viability of member businesses.
In a bid to strengthen professionalism in the sector, NANTA has upgraded its training committee into the NANTA Training Institute for Travel Professionals Limited and is reviewing its constitution to enhance disciplinary measures. Folami emphasised: “Professionalism is not optional in our trade. You have to be professional, and you have to be accountable.”
The AGM will feature prominent speakers, including the Chairman of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission, a representative from the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, global consultancy firm Deloitte and Touche, and the Kenyan High Commissioner to Nigeria, alongside royal fathers and other dignitaries.
