NANTA Deputy President Advocates for Support and Consolidation Ahead of 50th AGM
As the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) gears up for its landmark 50th Annual General Meeting (AGM), First Deputy President Chinyere Umeasiegbu has made a compelling appeal for unwavering support and consolidation from all association members. In a recent engagement with aviation journalists in Lagos, Umeasiegbu emphasized the critical need for her re-election to build upon the significant achievements secured over the past two years under the current administration.
Vision for Continuity and Enhanced Representation
Umeasiegbu, who also serves as the Managing Director of Global Links & Services Limited, articulated a dual-purpose agenda. Beyond her personal ambition to return and further the administration's accomplishments, she highlighted the importance of maintaining gender balance and regional inclusivity within NANTA's national executive. She argued that it would be a grave oversight for the association to lack female representation at its core leadership level and for the Eastern Zone to be without a voice nationally.
"This should be about deliverables and about fair, equal representation," Umeasiegbu stated. "Let there be experience over experiment. Let there be inclusivity over exclusion. Let there be continuity over disruption."
Promises of Value Addition and Income Streams
If re-elected, Umeasiegbu pledged to continue her pivotal role in collaborating with the association's leadership while leveraging her extensive experience to add substantial value. A key focus of her campaign is the introduction of additional revenue streams for NANTA members, including the successful rollout of the GoLite payment system. She expressed her passion for this initiative, noting, "With my investment background, I want to do something for NANTA that will open up extra streams of income for members. That is what I intend to do if re-elected."
International Initiatives and Achievements
Umeasiegbu outlined her vision for expanding NANTA's global footprint, citing participation in the World Travel Market (WTM) as a cornerstone. She highlighted the International Travel Trade Conference, launched in collaboration with South Africa in 2023, which resulted in certification opportunities from the University of Johannesburg and study options in tourism. In 2025, a strategic deal was signed with The Gambia's tourism industry, and she is currently engaging with a prominent Nigerian transport company to explore a Banjul–Dakar passenger ferry route by road.
Emphasis on Gender Equality and Regional Fairness
Reflecting on her tenure, Umeasiegbu described the exclusion of women from core executive positions as an anomaly, especially given her proven track record over the last two years. She stressed that her re-election would not only ensure gender equality but also provide essential representation for the Eastern Zone, preventing what she termed an "error" in the association's governance structure.
As NANTA approaches its golden jubilee AGM, Umeasiegbu's call for support underscores a broader narrative of consolidation, inclusivity, and sustained progress in Nigeria's travel and aviation sectors.
