Gideon, a travel industry leader, and Chief Executive Officer of Aeroport Group, and former two-term Lagos Zonal Public Relations Officer, began his engagements in Lagos, where the Zone held its AGM marking the end of the tenure of its outgone executive officers.

The transition, overseen by respected Board of Trustees members, including; Mr Daisi Olotu and Mrs Durosinmi Etti, featured formal handover proceedings, valedictory remarks, and presentation of certificates of service to executives, who had completed their terms.

At the Eastern Zone AGM in Port Harcourt, he witnessed the election of a new executive committee and congratulated both outgone and incoming officers for their stewardship and commitment to advancing professional standards within the region.

A notable highlight of the Eastern Zone meeting was the emergence of Mr Emmanuel Ossai, one of Gideon’s former students, as Zonal Public Relations Officer — a development viewed by many as reflective of sustained mentorship and capacity development within Nigeria’s travel industry.

Industry stakeholders present at the Port Harcourt gathering, which featured participation from regulators and airline representatives, emphasised the importance of structured communication, regulatory alignment, and improved coordination across zones.

Gideon’s engagements further extended to the Northern Zone in Kano and the Abuja Zone, where leadership transitions and stakeholders’ interactions focused on strengthening information flow, reinforcing compliance standards, and enhancing the association’s national representation.

He was also at the Western Zone AGM in Ibadan, where he monitored the transition, with new officers elected. He had a constructive engagement with stakeholders at the zone.

During his tenure as Lagos Zonal Public Relations Officer, Gideon made some strides, including representing NANTA at the World Travel Market (WTM) London in 2024, where he coordinated the media in furtherance of the association’s international visibility.

It is to his credit that the visual content from the Nigerian delegation was subsequently utilised by the WTM media team in promotional materials in the 2025 edition of the yearly event, underscoring Nigeria’s growing presence within the global travel trade ecosystem.

Speaking during interactions across the zones, Gideon stressed the need for stronger inter-zonal communication, institutional continuity, and responsible representation of members’ interests at both national and international platforms.

He is a cleared nominee for the position of National Publicity Secretary of NANTA, subject to the ongoing electoral process.

The forthcoming 50th AGM of NANTA is expected to convene travel professionals, airline operators, regulators, and tourism stakeholders from across Nigeria in what is anticipated to be a defining moment in the association’s history.

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This was as the Association, led by its National President, Yinka Folami, held a discussion with the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in his Abuja office, recently.

In his welcome remark, the Minister affirmed the government’s openness to stakeholders’ engagements, noting that effective leadership is built on active feedback and collaboration. “Every good leadership takes feedback from stakeholders,” he stated.

Tunji-Ojo assured the delegation of the federal government’s support for well-organised and credible bodies such as NANTA. He expressed his deep pride in Nigeria’s cultural richness and the resilience of its people, describing Nigerians as hospitable, productive, and uniquely gifted.

Speaking on diplomatic matters, the Minister clarified that visa policies are governed by the principle of reciprocity and assured that Nigeria remains respectful and fair in its international engagements.

He also charged NANTA and Nigerians in general, to always speak positively about the nation. “Nigeria will rebound,” he declared.

Folami commended the Minister for his responsiveness and dedication to reform. He remarked that NANTA members have closely followed the Minister’s performance and are impressed by his consistency in matching promises with action. “Your prompt response to our request for this engagement is one of many examples of your commitment to positive change,” Folami noted.

He further highlighted NANTA’s contributions to national development, emphasising that the 50-year-old Association, proudly Nigerian, continues to promote the country positively across the globe.

As a symbol of appreciation and partnership, NANTA presented a commemorative plaque to the Minister, endorsing his reform-driven leadership and expressing readiness for sustained collaboration. In response, Dr. Tunji-Ojo pledged to establish strategic engagement channels with NANTA, assuring that his team would follow up to deepen collaboration in the national interest.

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The Gambia Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Abdoulie Jobe has commended the members of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) for choosing The Gambia for their training and expedition for this year, describing the tour as ‘deserving home coming.’

‘‘We are delighted to host this eminent gathering of notable travel agents, and we bestow high regards to your presence in the smiling coast of Africa,” he said.

The highly elated Minister, who spoke at the official flag-off ceremony of NANTA’s the training and tourism market exposure, disclosed that destination management ecosystem must consistently respond to fast changing dynamics geared towards addressing the needs of various stakeholders, the industry and host communities, noting that travel agents must continue to play pivotal roles in finding solutions to those changes in the tourism ecosystem.

According to him, ‘‘it is imperative for tourism stakeholders at various levels to take stock and strategise on the next steps to make tourism responsive to these trends and challenges to reposition our coveted industry on a competitive trajectory.”

The Minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Amie Njie, further explained that the presence of Nigeria travel trade professionals in The Gambia was an intentional high-level engagement by the Ministry to market Gambia to Nigeria. He urged the Nigerian influential trade group to have a taste of The Gambia jollof, known locally as Benechin.

While in his welcome remark, the Nigeria High Commissioner to The Gambia, Mallam Mohammad Mainasara commended NANTA for choosing The Gambia for their training programme. He charged them to take full advantage of their presence to generate viable mutual trade opportunities between Nigeria and The Gambia.

Abubakar Camara and Sheriff Conteh Director General and Deputy Director General of The Gambia Tourism Board, respectively, shared binding cultural tourism relationships with Nigeria, while the Managing Director of Djeliba Leisure Group, a frontline partner of NANTA on the training and trade exposure expedition, revealed that Nigerians are close relations to the people of The Gambia.

On his part, the President of NANTA, Yinka Folami pledged the commitment of NANTA to changing the travel narrative by ensuring the country’s tourist traffic is boosted through its members.

“We believe in inter African trade and tourism exchange, and we as an Association started the campaign over five years ago. We love The Gambia, and that’s why we chose to be here for our training instead of going elsewhere. We brought our best to The Gambia, and soon, the tourism trade traffic narratives would change, and we have the capacity to do so,” assured Folami.

Presenting NANTA’s plaque to The Gambia First Lady and the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Folami disclosed that NANTA would also expect The Gambia people and their trade community to reciprocate the love that Nigerians showered on them by visiting and trading more with Nigeria since Nigeria foremost carrier, Air peace operates in the country.

Folami commended NANTA’s training faculty led by the Association First Deputy President, Mrs Chinyere Umeasiegbu; the immediate past President, Mrs Susan Akporiaye and Mrs Ibiwari Uloma Kemabonta, for always pushing NANTA to the zenith of success and global presence, adding that it is a blessing to be supported and assisted by selfless women.

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Andrew Iro Okungbowa

As members of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) arrived The Gambia for its training session, the National President of the body, Yinka Folami, has announced the faculty members for the programme, with the former Gambia Minister of Tourism, Fatou Mas Jobe, headlining the list.

According to Folami, who is leading the over 90 registered travel trade professionals to the one-week training and tourism trade exposure, the faculty members were carefully chosen by the NANTA training focal team of Susan Akporiaye, who is the immediate Past President of NANTA and its current First National Deputy President, Mrs Chinyere Umeasiegbu, both of whom are credited with global tourism experience and reputation certifications covering all aspects of the industry.

Folami noted that the former Minister of Tourism of the Gambia, who is a known specialist in luxury resort management and funding, will share her innovative management skills with the NANTA trainees

Mas Jobe holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration, who aside helping to transform the tourism business in The Gambia as Minister, is a known global advocate and mobiliser of tourism funding. She headlined a $12 million World Bank five years marketing project in strategic collaboration with private sector operators, generating a record 500, 000 tourist arrivals for the Gambia.

She is also credited for transforming The Gambia Tourism Authority and the Gambia Hotel School to The Gambia Tourism and Hotel Institute, attracting critical funding from the Spanish government.

Dr. Adama Bah is another experienced expert in the training faculty, with over 40 years’ experience, spanning critical development and knowledge milestones across various sectors of the industry in The Gambia and across the globe.

Bah is the Director and Chairman of the Institute of Travel and Tourism of The Gambia.  He is also a foundation member of the Association of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Tourism (ASSET).

Mr Mutiu Kolawole Ambali, is a lead lecturer and head of the Tourism and Hospitality Department of the University of The Gambia. He completes the NANTA training faculty and holds a Masters of Science Degree in Tourism Development, with focal experience in tourism and hospitality management. He also holds a first degree in Agricultural Economics.

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This is as it among others tabled before the management of Turkish Airlines baskets full of trade opportunities and strategies that will create a win-win relationship between the two organisations.

The strategies covered areas on ease of visa regimes to Türkey, Hajj and Umrah services, additional frequencies, particularly targeting the South-East and South-South regions of Nigeria, through Port Harcourt International Airport, and more incentives for Nigerian passengers travelling through Türkey.

NANTA’s leadership, which met with the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies Association (TURSAB) as part of its agenda to expand its reach and collaborate with key global industry influencers, commended the Turkish Airlines’ management, particularly the country’s management in Nigeria, for its intentional support and encouragement towards Nigerian travel trade professionals.

Yinka Folami, President, NANTA, who led delegation, disclosed that NANTA is determined to reciprocate the gesture of support by the Airline to registered Nigerian travel agents, requesting that the influential global carrier should add its voice to the call for ease of obtaining Turkish visas by Nigerian passengers as it would help galvanise sales yield for the airline.

The Association also tabled a request for Turkish Airlines to process charter flights for Hajj and Umrah flights in and out of Nigeria as the country has a huge Muslim population visiting Saudi Arabia annually.

Folami explained that Nigeria is ranked fourth on the table of countries with huge pilgrimage traffic to the Holy Land, and since Turkish Airlines also have capacity to process these traffic globally and efficiently, NANTA will be pleased to see the airline takes advantage of this opportunity, noting, “a Turkish Airlines flight from Port Harcourt International Airport in the Eastern part of Nigeria, would be welcomed and celebrated too.”

On the NANTA 50th Anniversary celebration next year, Folami disclosed that Turkish Airlines is the official partner Airline for the event, which would provide critical and crucial marketing promotion opportunities for the Airline to penetrate deeper into the vibrant Nigerian Travel Market.

According to him, “We are eternally grateful to Turkish Airlines for this transformative visit to Istanbul and for the exposure to tourism and hospitality offerings available to passengers visiting or transiting through Istanbul.

‘‘Your Touristanbul Package is top-notch, and we commend your professionalism and your efforts to treat your passengers better. We have seen the various layers of opportunities, and it will help us market Turkish Airlines to our customers.’’

Earlier, Turkish Airlines Manager, Tour Marketing, Abdullah Yormaz, flanked by the Charter Manager, Mustafa Pehlivan, who received the NANTA delegation, expressed the airline management appreciation to NANTA for the visit, which has helped to deepen the collaboration and relationship with the airline, assuring that all the suggestions and expectations by the visitors would be tabled before the Turkish Airlines’ Vice President in charge of Africa.

He explained that Touristanbul is the tourism arm of Turkish Airlines, which provides specially tailored tour packages, including eat-out experiences for its passengers on long layouts, and generally ensure that they are taken care of.

NANTA’s delegation included; the First Deputy President – Mrs Chinyere Umeasiegbu; Second Deputy President – Dr Olatokunbo Dagunduro; Vice President, Abuja, and Kano, respectively,  Mrs Kemabonta Uloma Ibiwari and Mr Mohammed Nasir Chamo.

Others are; Vice President, Western Zone – Mr Babatunde Adesokan; Vice President, Lagos Zone – Mr Yinka Olapade; Financial Secretary – Mr Yinka Ladipo; Publicity Secretary – Mrs Adelola Adewole; National Internal Auditor – Mr Johnson Ugochukwu; and Chief Administrative Officer – Mr Stanley Diagi.

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A NEW DAWN FOR BOTH NIGERIANS AND TURKISH NATIONALS IS IN THE OFFING AS THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA TRAVEL AGENCIES (NANTA) AND ITS TURKISH COUNTERPART HAVE ENGAGED IN SERIES OF DISCUSSIONS ON EXPLORING TRADE RELATIONS AND EASE OF DOING BUSINESS WITH AN UNDERSTANDING TO PREVAIL ON THE GOVERNMENTS OF BOTH COUNTRIES TO ADDRESS THE PREVAILING STRINGENT VISA REGIME THAT HAS MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR HIGH VOLUME OF VISITORS TO BOTH COUTNRIES…

Nigerian travel trade professionals and their counterparts in Istanbul, Türkey, jointly bemoaned the visa regimes by both countries, praying for waivers and relaxation of entry regimes into Nigeria and Turkey in order to speed up trade and tourism

National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) in its first historic collaboration meeting yesterday in Istanbul, with the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TURSAB) appealed for the intervention of its Turkish sister body to help guide the Turkish government to relax the strict visa regime for Nigerian travellers, particularly those who are in possession of valid visas from the United Kingdom, Schengen countries, Canada and US, to allow them access visa on arrival without stress or the electronic visa.

Similarly, the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TURSAB) tabled before NANTA the same constraints experienced by Turkish investors and tourists wishing to visit Nigeria, noting that the tough visa  ecosystem of Nigeria has impacted negatively on traffic from Turkey to Nigeria.

The two influential trade groups, after extensive deliberations covering mutual trade opportunities and challenges, agreed to table the feedback to their relevant and appropriate local authorities, promising to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to partner and support each other on tourism exchange, training and retraining, and to forge a united voice on global travel trade matters and to ensure improved revenue yields through tourism for the two nations.

NANTA, led by its National President, Mr Yinka Folami, expressed happiness at the reception and hospitality of TURSAB leadership. Following this, he extended a formal invitation to the Association’s entire leadership its 50th anniversary celebration holding in 2026

“We are pleased to be here and greatly appreciate your hospitality to my team.  This meeting is hugely successful and impactful and we assure you that we will reach out to our home government over the visa challenges experienced by the good people of the republic of Turkey and again will use this opportunity to announce that Turkish Airlines is the official partner Airline for our 50th anniversary next year. Likewise, we also graciously invite you and your leadership to the event,” said Folami.

Meanwhile, the Vice President TURSAB, Mr Davut Gunaydin, in his remarks, also expressed the same sentiments and wishes to see more Nigerians visit Türkey, worried by the very low traffic from Nigeria, a country, which yearly welcomes close to 36 million visitors from all over the world.

“We have about 6, 000 visitors from Spain, about same number visitors from Italy but we are worried at the near zero tourism traffic from Nigeria, with over 200 million population and noted all over the world for being one of the nations with the most travelled people. We want NANTA to help us change the tide, while we too will drive similar campaigns in our country for visits to Nigeria since we share strong bonds in culture, heritage tourism, and hospitality.”

Throwing more light on the poor visa approvals for Nigerians wishing to visit Turkey, Gunaydin disclosed that some Nigerians disappeared after the expiration of their visa. He requested that NANTA should profile and recommend Nigerian visitors wishing to visit the country to stem the tide of Nigerians absconding once inside Turkey as such incidents in the past have sadly contributed to the present challenge in assessing visas to Turkey by Nigerians.

The meeting held at the office of the Association located in the prestigious Besikta area in Istanbul, was attended by the Turkish Airlines Sales Operations Manager in Nigeria, Mr Hakim Cakar, representing the airline (through his Country Manager in Nigeria, Mr. Lokman Balkan), which brokered the groundbreaking meeting by the two sister organisations.

In attendance also were other members of NANTA’s delegation, which include; the First Deputy President, Mrs Chinyere Umeasiegbu, Second Deputy President, Dr Olatokunbo Dagunduro, Vice Presidents of Abuja and North respectively, Mrs Kemabonta Uloma Ibiwari and Mohammed Nasir Chamo.

Others are; Vice President, Lagos Zone Mr Yinka Olapade, Vice President, Western Zone, Mr Babatunde Adesokan, Financial Secretary, Mr Yinka Ladipo, Publicity Secretary, Mrs Lola Adewole, National Internal Auditor, Johnson Ugochukwu and Chief Administrative Officer Mr Stanley Diagi.

While from the 18, 000 members of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies led by the Vice President, Gunaydin, are Orhan Sancar, Head of Incoming Tourism Expert Committee; Kemal Ertem, Head, Outgoing Tourism Expert Committee; Ceylan Uraz Yigiterhan, Director, Expert Committee and Corporate Events; and Yildirim Tas, Executive Board Member.

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