The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) and British Airways have reaffirmed their long-standing partnership following a meeting between NANTA’s national executive team and the airline’s management at its newly opened Country Office in Lagos on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation and expanding opportunities for Nigeria’s travel industry.
The delegation was led by NANTA National President, Dr Yinka Folami, alongside members of the association’s National Executive Council. The visit was aimed at congratulating the airline on its new strategic office and exploring further areas of collaboration to support the growth of the travel trade in Nigeria.
The team was received by British Airways’ Regional Commercial Manager for West Africa, Mrs Adetutu Otuyalo, and other senior management staff.
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Speaking during the visit, Dr Folami commended British Airways for its decades of operations, professionalism and continued presence in the Nigerian market. He described the establishment of the new country office as a strategic move that demonstrated the airline’s long-term commitment to Nigeria.
“British Airways is not just an airline in Nigeria; it is an institution that has become part of our aviation history. For over 50 years of NANTA’s existence, BA has been a dependable partner. Your new office is proof that you are here for the long haul, and NANTA is proud to be associated with this commitment,” Dr Folami stated.
He also briefed the airline’s management on a flagship initiative of his administration, the NANTA Training Institute, which is designed to improve professional standards in travel agency practice, address knowledge gaps and prepare the next generation of travel industry professionals.
According to him, the institute aims to equip Nigerian travel professionals with the skills and qualifications needed to become globally competitive travel practitioners and certified Global Travel Ambassadors.
In her response, Mrs Otuyalo thanked NANTA for the visit and its continued support for British Airways. She emphasised the importance of travel agents to the airline’s commercial operations in Nigeria and across West Africa.
“We at British Airways believe that investment in people is the best investment. The standard of your profession determines the quality of experience our mutual customers get. On behalf of British Airways, I want to assure you of our full professional support for the NANTA Training Institute,” she pledged.
She explained that the airline’s proposed support would cover professional training, product knowledge, global distribution best practices, customer service and exposure to emerging airline technologies.
Mrs Otuyalo added that British Airways would work with NANTA to develop a structured training programme to help members remain informed about developments in the aviation industry and maintain competitive professional standards.
The visit concluded with a tour of the new British Airways Country Office. Both organisations reiterated their commitment to strengthening cooperation and maintaining a mutually beneficial relationship.
The partnership between NANTA and British Airways spans more than five decades, reflecting a long-standing relationship between the airline and Nigeria’s travel agency sector. The proposed training collaboration is expected to provide further opportunities for professional development, although specific implementation details were not disclosed in the announcement.
