By Seun Ibiyemi
British Airways has pledged professional training and technical support for the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) Training Institute as both organisations move to strengthen their partnership and improve standards in Nigeria’s travel industry.
The commitment was made on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, when NANTA’s National Executive Council, led by its National President, Dr Yinka Folami, visited the airline’s newly opened country office in Lagos.
The visit was aimed at congratulating British Airways on its new office and exploring opportunities for deeper collaboration to advance the Nigerian travel trade.
The delegation was received by the airline’s Regional Commercial Manager for West Africa, Mrs Adetutu Otuyalo, and other senior management staff.
Speaking during the visit, Folami commended British Airways for its longstanding presence in Nigeria, describing the airline as an important part of the country’s aviation history.
He said the opening of the new office demonstrated the airline’s continued commitment to the Nigerian market and its relationship with local travel agencies.
“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,” Folami said.
He also introduced the NANTA Training Institute, a flagship initiative of his administration designed to professionalise travel agency practice, close industry knowledge gaps and develop globally competitive travel professionals.
According to him, the institute aims to equip Nigerian travel professionals with the knowledge and skills required to become certified Global Travel Ambassadors.
In her response, Otuyalo expressed appreciation to NANTA for the visit and its continued support, describing travel agents as central to British Airways’ commercial success in Nigeria and West Africa.
She assured the association of the airline’s professional support for the training institute, emphasising the importance of investing in human capital to improve customer experience across the travel industry.
“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 said.
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Otuyalo said the airline’s proposed support would cover professional training, product knowledge, global distribution best practices, customer service excellence and exposure to emerging airline technologies.
She added that British Airways would work with NANTA to develop a structured training programme to ensure members remain abreast of industry developments and competitive in the global travel market.
The visit concluded with an inspection of the airline’s new country office, with both organisations reaffirming their commitment to strengthening their longstanding relationship.
The partnership between NANTA and British Airways spans more than five decades and remains one of the enduring collaborations between an international airline and a travel trade association in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
