NANTA Leadership Hopeful Promises Industry Reset Ahead of Golden Jubilee
A prominent figure within Nigeria's travel trade has formally declared his candidacy for a senior leadership position in the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies as the organisation prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Mohammed Mustapha, currently serving as spokesman for NANTA's Northern zone, announced his bid for First Deputy Vice President ahead of the upcoming Annual General Meeting scheduled for Ibadan.
The candidacy announcement comes at a pivotal moment for Nigeria's organised travel trade, which faces mounting pressure from digital disruption, declining airline commissions and persistent challenges from unregistered operators. For travel professionals across sub-Saharan Africa watching developments in the continent's largest market, the policy positions articulated by leadership candidates offer insights into how the sector may evolve.
Mustapha brings nearly two decades of industry experience to his candidacy, complemented by professional certifications including programmes completed through the International Air Transport Association. Currently serving as Public Relations Officer for the association's Northern Zone, he has built networks spanning government agencies, airline partners and various industry stakeholders.
Central to his platform is what he describes as an industry reset designed to counter negative perceptions that have damaged business opportunities for legitimate operators. He argues that travel professionals in Nigeria have suffered reputational harm that directly impacts their commercial prospects, requiring coordinated action to rebuild public trust and demonstrate ongoing relevance in an increasingly digital marketplace.
Among his proposed initiatives is the establishment of a NANTA Day, envisioned as a visibility campaign combining charitable activities with public engagement. Rather than launching simultaneously across all regions, Mustapha suggests a zone-by-zone approach that would maximise executive participation and stakeholder involvement while demonstrating the association's community commitment.
The candidate emphasised that travel professionals must transition from operating quietly in the background to actively projecting their value proposition. Enhanced customer engagement and improved after-sales service would help differentiate professional operators from both unregistered competitors and impersonal online platforms.
Capacity development features prominently in his two-year vision. Mustapha outlined plans to deepen training programmes for members, focusing on evolving technology adoption, changing visa processes and elevated customer service standards. Strengthening the association's training framework while encouraging broader participation would help members remain competitive against digital platforms that continue capturing market share.
The challenge posed by unregistered operators received particular attention. Mustapha characterised their activities as deeply damaging to industry reputation and member morale, noting that impacts extend well beyond immediate financial losses. He pledged to drive membership revalidation efforts and expand active participation, expressing confidence that a stronger, more visible membership base would help eliminate unprofessional practices.
Addressing the persistent challenge of declining airline commissions, the candidate urged members to embrace alternative revenue streams rather than lamenting lost income. He pointed to existing incentive structures and emerging service-based models as opportunities for diversification into areas including hospitality services and tour packaging. Improved engagement with airline partners could also unlock benefits that offset reduced base commissions.
On questions of gender representation within the association, Mustapha dismissed suggestions of bias, maintaining that leadership positions have consistently been awarded based on competence rather than gender. He noted that his zone has supported both female and male presidents, calling for similar collective backing across all membership segments.
The upcoming golden jubilee celebrations in Ibadan provide a fitting backdrop for leadership transitions and strategic repositioning. Fifty years of organised representation marks a significant milestone for Nigeria's travel trade, offering opportunities for reflection on achievements while confronting current challenges with renewed determination.
For African travel professionals monitoring Nigerian market dynamics, association politics may seem distant from daily commercial concerns. However, the strength of trade bodies directly influences regulatory engagement, training accessibility and collective bargaining power with suppliers. Whoever emerges from the Ibadan elections will help shape conditions for travel businesses operating in Africa's most populous nation.
