- Travel Agents Key to Combating Human Trafficking – Dabiri-Erewa
- Says Travel Agents Must Protect Nigeria’s Image
- Urges NANTA Members to Promote Nigeria
The Director-General of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has called on travel professionals to play a more active role in tackling human trafficking while promoting Nigeria’s image globally.
Eko Hot Blog reports that she made the call at the 50th anniversary and Annual General Meeting of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies held in Ibadan.
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Dabiri-Erewa expressed concern over the rising cases of human trafficking linked to questionable travel arrangements, noting that many victims are transported using legitimately issued flight tickets.
She urged travel agents to be more vigilant by identifying suspicious travel patterns, such as young or vulnerable individuals travelling alone without clear destinations or support systems, and to report such cases to the appropriate authorities.
According to her, refusing to process questionable bookings and alerting security agencies could help save lives and protect the integrity of the travel industry.
The NiDCOM boss also highlighted the scale of the problem, pointing to cases of stranded Nigerians in parts of the Middle East and North Africa, as well as victims lured abroad under false promises.
She stressed that collaboration between government and travel agencies is essential in preventing exploitation and ensuring safer migration.
Beyond security concerns, Dabiri-Erewa encouraged travel professionals to see themselves as ambassadors of Nigeria, promoting tourism, protecting the country’s reputation, and countering negative stereotypes.
She noted that travel agents often serve as the first point of contact for international travellers and therefore play a key role in shaping perceptions about Nigeria.
The NiDCOM DG also called for stronger partnerships in areas such as data sharing, crisis response for stranded citizens, and participation in diaspora-focused cultural and economic initiatives.
Reaffirming the commission’s readiness to collaborate, she urged stakeholders in the sector to uphold professionalism and work collectively to strengthen Nigeria’s global standing.
