April 11, (THEWILL) – Renowned legal practitioner, Professor Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), has called on the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) to chart a new path toward professionalism by seeking charter status and strengthening its constitution.
Speaking at the 49th Annual General Meeting of the association, Pinheiro underscored the urgent need for NANTA to evolve beyond its current status as an Incorporated Trustee under Part F of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020.
He argued that this legal framework falls short of what is required to confer regulatory authority, ethical governance, and global relevance on the body.
Addressing a room filled with travel industry stakeholders, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria delivered a thought-provoking presentation, blending legal precedent, philosophical insight, and institutional analysis.
Pinheiro said, “Without a statutory charter.
“NANTA lacks the structural authority to effectively govern its members or regulate professional standards within the travel and tourism sector.”
Using the metaphor of an airport terminal to describe the importance of a well-drafted constitution, he stated: “When done right, everything flows smoothly, but when done poorly, confusion reigns.”
His analysis highlighted several structural deficiencies in the association’s draft constitution.
Pinheiro flagged the absence of clear provisions on voting rights for corporate members, noting that such ambiguities could expose NANTA to internal disputes and administrative bottlenecks.
He also raised concerns over the vague status of associate or probationary members, whose rights and participation remain undefined.
On dormant memberships, Pinheiro acknowledged the constitution’s provision for penalising financial default but criticised the lack of clarity on the rights and reactivation procedures for such members.
He further recommended that the constitution incorporate statutory requirements regarding the disqualification of trustees, such as the exclusion of minors, as stated under Section 826 of CAMA.
Describing good governance as “the oxygen that sustains any thriving association,” Pinheiro drew on Hobbesian political philosophy and the works of governance expert Mark Goyder to argue for a governance structure that ensures checks and balances.
A robust constitution, he said, provides the legal and ethical bedrock for participatory leadership and institutional credibility.
He also benchmarked NANTA’s governance framework against other professional organisations like the Nigerian Bar Association and the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), which, according to him, have enshrined professionalism and member inclusivity in their foundational documents.
Pinheiro challenged NANTA members to actively engage in the constitutional review process, quoting Indian philanthropist Rohini Nilekani: “We cannot be mere consumers of good governance; we must be participants; we must be co-creators.”
Participation, he stressed, is vital to building a constitution that truly reflects the collective aspirations of its members.
He concluded by reminding the association that no institution can outgrow the vision and unity of its members.
“If NANTA must become a globally respected body in the travel and tourism space, it must be built on a constitution that commands respect, upholds ethics, and stands the test of time,” he said.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
