Pinheiro calls for charter status, stronger constitution to reposition NANTA as global force

At the 49th Annual General Meeting of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), Professor Kemi Pinheiro, delivered a compelling call to action, urging members to rally behind a vision of a “Legally Grounded, Ethically Driven, and Globally Respected Association.”

In a deeply reflective presentation, Pinheiro underscored the urgent need for NANTA to adopt a robust constitution and pursue charter status to secure its relevance and authority in Nigeria’s travel and tourism sector.

Speaking to an audience of stakeholders and industry leaders, the legal luminary described the Association’s current legal framework, registered as an Incorporated Trustee under Part F of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020—as insufficient to support its ambitions of professional regulation and global recognition.

Without a statutory charter, he said, NANTA lacks the structural muscle to effectively govern its members or regulate professional standards in the industry.

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Pinheiro likened the constitution of an organization to the design of an airport terminal: “When done right, everything flows smoothly but when done poorly, confusion reigns.” This metaphor set the tone for a presentation rooted in legal precedent, philosophical insight, and pragmatic recommendations.

Drawing from authorities such as Sebastine and referencing judicial pronouncements, including the Court of Appeal’s ruling in Mohammed v. Sokoto (2021), he emphasized that a constitution is far more than a formal document, it is the foundational legal instrument that legitimises power, organizes governance, and upholds ethical standards.

Tracing the implications of NANTA’s draft constitution, Pinheiro pointed out gaps that undermine clarity and legal certainty.

For instance, he highlighted the absence of clear guidelines on who can vote on behalf of a corporate member, potentially exposing the Association to disputes and administrative inefficiencies.

Similarly, he questioned the vague status of probationary or ‘associate’ members, asking whether they hold voting rights or can participate in governance—a lack of clarity that risks perceptions of arbitrariness.

On the issue of dormant membership, Pinheiro noted that while the constitution rightly penalizes financial default, it fails to outline the rights or restrictions of such members, nor does it clarify procedures for reactivation.

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He also stressed the need for the constitution to reflect statutory provisions regarding the disqualification of trustees, particularly the exclusion of minors, as stipulated in Section 826 of CAMA.

“Good governance,” Pinheiro asserted, “is the oxygen that sustains any thriving association.”

He drew from philosophical traditions, including Hobbesian political theory, and quoted experts like Mark Goyder to underscore the balance required between leadership and governance.

A strong constitution, he said, bridges these two, enabling NANTA to navigate change, prevent abuse, and maintain its integrity.

The presentation also compared NANTA’s governance framework to that of other professional bodies such as the Nigerian Bar Association and the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), both of which enshrine ethical standards and participatory governance in their foundational documents.

Pinheiro advocated for similar codification in NANTA’s constitution, especially in an industry where trust and professionalism are paramount.