The inaugural Heirs Insurance Travel Festival held on Saturday, November 29, at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos, drew thousands of travel enthusiasts, diplomats, creatives and business leaders.
The festival, organised by Heirs Insurance Group, went beyond cultural celebration to spotlight the systemic barriers that restrict African mobility.
It served as a strategic advocacy platform calling for reforms in foreign policies, bilateral agreements, and visa processes that continue to limit travel opportunities for millions across the continent.
Centred on the theme “Promoting Cultural Diversity and an Inclusive Travel Ecosystem,” the event opened with a high-level panel on Passport Power and Diplomacy.
Speakers included Ambassador Manuel Innocencio de Lacerda Santos Junior of Brazil, Angola’s Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Jose Bamóquina Zau, and SBB Media CEO Stephanie Busari, with veteran broadcaster Jonathan Hanson moderating.
The diplomats stressed the need for simplified visa procedures, harmonised travel frameworks and stronger border systems to enable seamless movement across Africa.
A creator-led panel titled “Where Your Nigerian Passport Can Take You”, moderated by Heirs Insurance Group’s Chief Marketing Officer, Ifesinachi Okpagu, featured leading travel influencers Zim Erobu, Adenike Tejuoso and Steven Ndukwu.
The creators advocated for a borderless Africa, urging embassies to refund visa fees for rejected applications, describing the current costs as unfair and burdensome for African travellers.
Speaking at the event, Ifesinachi Okpagu said the festival creates space for critical conversations often overlooked within the travel and migration ecosystem.
“We believe access, safety, and empowerment should be for everyone… We are building the platforms and partnerships that ensure global mobility and migration are attainable to all,” she said.
Heirs Insurance Group—the insurance arm of Heirs Holdings—comprises Heirs General Insurance, Heirs Life Assurance, and Heirs Insurance Brokers, serving corporate and individual customers across Nigeria.
