By Onyeka Ezike
The Public Relations Officer of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) Northern Zone, Mustapha Mohammed, has outlined his manifesto as he vies for the position of Deputy President ahead of the association’s forthcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) and 50th anniversary celebration. The landmark event is scheduled to take place in Ibadan from April 14 to 18, 2026.
Mohammed made his intentions known during an appearance on Villa Square, a flagship segment of Cre8tive 9ja, a tourism and culture programme broadcast on Mainland 98.3FM Lagos. The programme, anchored by veteran tourism journalist Frank Meke alongside Bunmi Bade-Adeniji, provided a platform for the aspirant to articulate his vision for the association.
Highlighting his achievements as Northern Zone PRO, Mohammed pointed to the establishment of a dedicated office space for NANTA members in Kano as a major milestone. The facility, he noted, represents a significant step forward for the zone, which previously operated without a physical administrative base.
“We have prioritised professionalism among our members by promoting structured training and providing access to relevant resources and exposure opportunities,” Mohammed said. “This aligns with the vision of the current administration under President Yinka Folami, which emphasises continuous training and retraining of travel professionals.”
Outlining his agenda, Mohammed stressed his commitment to strengthening existing initiatives within the association while introducing value-driven programmes. He cited the expansion of events such as NANTA Day and pledged to leverage his extensive industry network to enhance the association’s visibility and strategic positioning.
“My decision to contest is largely driven by my capacity to connect people and opportunities. I intend to use my network to unify members and reposition NANTA for greater impact,” he stated.
Addressing the economic significance of religious tourism, Mohammed described the Hajj pilgrimage as a critical contributor to Nigeria’s travel sector. He noted that the Northern Zone has played a central role in facilitating pilgrimage travel, including coordinating multiple flights to Saudi Arabia during recent Hajj operations.
He also acknowledged prevailing security challenges in parts of Northern Nigeria, including Kano, Kaduna, Yola, and Maiduguri, but maintained that strong partnerships with airlines and key stakeholders have sustained operations and growth within the region.
Despite these challenges, Mohammed emphasised that Northern Nigeria remains a viable destination, continuing to attract diaspora tourists and contributing meaningfully to the association’s overall performance.
As the election approaches, Mohammed reaffirmed his commitment to fostering unity within NANTA and driving initiatives that will strengthen the association’s national relevance while expanding opportunities for members across all zones.
