The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) has described cross-border ticket trading as unethical and damaging to the country’s travel market, warning that the practice is shrinking domestic opportunities and denying Nigeria much-needed revenue.
Speaking at the association’s 49th Annual General Meeting in Lagos, Yinka Folami, NANTA President, said investigations had already been launched into at least five foreign travel agencies accused of selling tickets for travel originating in Nigeria without operating locally.
According to Folami, cross-border ticketing accounts for nearly 40% of ticket sales losses in the domestic market, with Nigerian agents excluded from transactions, commissions lost, and the government denied revenue from taxes and levies.
He added that some foreign airlines still price tickets in dollars despite recent foreign exchange stability, further sidelining Nigerian agents and travelers. “Cross-border trading is the greatest infidelity to our market. It suppresses local growth and undermines trust in the system,” he said.
NANTA is calling on the Federal Government to step up enforcement of the Point of Commencement (POC) policy and tighten registration rules for both foreign and local travel agents to ensure fair play in the market.
The association also announced ongoing reforms, including a new constitution, a verification portal for agents, member ID cards, and plans to establish a travel training institute, all aimed at strengthening professionalism and protecting Nigeria’s travel ecosystem.
Folami stressed that while NANTA welcomes global partnerships, such collaborations must not come at the expense of Nigeria’s market integrity. “Our industry must be respected and protected if we are to safeguard jobs, revenue, and consumer trust,” he said.
