The National President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), has disclosed that it has reported five travel agencies who are currently under investigation to the federal government for engaging in cross border trading on ticket sales.
Cross border trading happens when a foreign registered travel agent sell tickets emanating from Nigeria and funds emanating from the transaction are domiciled in another country.
Another form of cross border trade is when local travel agencies in Nigeria connive with foreign agents to engage in the unlawful act.
Yinka Folami, the president of NANTA who disclosed this during the NANTA 49th Annual General Meeting in Lagos said NANTA has lost 40 percent of its market to cross border traders.
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“Cross border sales is a sin and disrespectful to our economy. Government has asked us to present the names of the culprits. We have five names that have been mentioned. The country is investigating them for money laundering. We will stop it. We should also stop buying from them,” Folami said.
He said the tickets sold by these cross border traders are often cheaper, adding that NANTA is investigating how these agents from other countries get cheap tickets for Nigerian market.
He said there is a need for the association to come together to build a robust constitution, engage in self regulation and heed to advice from NANTA founders on tacking the issue.
Speaking on some or the achievements of NANTA, Folami said NANTA has shown conduct, respect and knowledge and has ensured that its point of sale does not shift, it distributes wealth and engage in self regulation.
“We made airlines confirm to us that they are principals to us and so the airlines should not be seen to be in competition with us. The airlines are very responsive to us. What we have done in the last six years is that we have set up committees and a key committee is the constitution review committee. The training committee is also doing very well. We are relaunching the ID cards and website today. We are also launching our NANTA mobile app,” he said.
Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development during his goodwill message said the theme for this year’s AGM, ‘Collective Prosperity Through Market Protection,’ is both timely and relevant, particularly as Nigeria continue to navigate a rapidly evolving global travel landscape.
Keyamo said this underscores the importance of collaboration, regulation, and shared responsibility in safeguarding the integrity and sustainability of Nigeria’s travel and tourism ecosystem.
The minister who was represented by Henry Agbebire, Director, special Duty, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) reaffirmed the Ministry’s support for initiatives that promote industry standards, protect legitimate market players, and enhance customer confidence.
“We recognize the role of travel agencies as critical partners in the air travel value chain and remain committed to creating an enabling environment for your operations to thrive,” he added.
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During his keynote address, Kemi Pinheiro, Founding Partner, Pinheiro LP said in the travel and tourism industry, where trust, service quality, and reliability are paramount, maintaining high standards of professional conduct is not just desirable—it is indispensable.
Pinheiro said a comprehensive constitution must therefore set out clear ethical standards and disciplinary procedures, adding that it becomes the moral compass that guides the conduct of members and reinforces industry confidence.
“This principle has helped uphold the integrity of the legal profession in Nigeria. Likewise, NANTA stands to benefit greatly by embedding exacting professional standards within its own constitutional framework, thereby reinforcing its standing as a credible and principled industry body,” he added.
