Heirs Insurance Champions Equity in Global Mobility at Inaugural Travel Festival

By Olusegun Obisanya

 

The inaugural Heirs Insurance Travel Festival drew a vibrant mix of travel enthusiasts, diplomats, creatives, entrepreneurs, and young Nigerians on Saturday, November 29, in Lagos. More than a colourful cultural showcase, the festival made a strong advocacy statement, spotlighting the urgent need for fairer travel policies and systems that expand access and mobility for Africans.

Themed “Promoting Cultural Diversity and an Inclusive Travel Ecosystem,” the festival reinforced Heirs Insurance Group’s emergence as a corporate leader championing travel equity and reform in global mobility frameworks.

A high-level panel session on “Passport Power and Diplomacy” set the tone for the day’s conversations. Speakers included Brazilian Ambassador to Nigeria, Manuel Innocencio de Lacerda Santos Junior; Ambassador Jose Bamóquina Zau, Angola’s Ambassador to Nigeria and former Deputy Minister; and media executive Stephanie Busari, CEO of SBB Media and former CNN Senior Editor. Moderated by veteran broadcaster Jonathan Hanson, the panel examined issues around visa access, passport strength, immigration architecture, and the pressing need for harmonised policies that enable easier movement for Africans.

The speakers collectively urged African governments and international partners to embrace more inclusive travel frameworks, modernise border systems, and simplify visa processes to strengthen regional and global integration.

The conversation continued with a creator-led session titled “Where Your Nigerian Passport Can Take You,” moderated by Ifesinachi Okpagu, Chief Marketing Officer, Heirs Insurance Group. Travel creators Zim Erobu, Adenike Tejuoso, and Steven Ndukwu shared practical insights on navigating global travel as Nigerians while calling for reduced intra-African restrictions. They also advocated for visa fee refunds in cases of rejection, describing the current system as unfair and disproportionately burdensome for African travellers.

Speaking on the festival’s purpose, Okpagu emphasised the company’s commitment to driving reform in Africa’s travel ecosystem.

“The Heirs Insurance Travel Festival provides the platform to address critical challenges within the often-overlooked travel ecosystem, ensuring that travel and migration policies are equitable for all.

“We believe access, safety, and empowerment should be for everyone. This is why we are building platforms and partnerships that ensure global mobility is attainable. We also want to unite travel enthusiasts on one platform—in line with our mission to improve lives,” she said.

The festival, which combined cultural expression with policy dialogue, underscores Heirs Insurance Group’s focus on innovation, social impact, and experiential engagement. It also signals the company’s growing influence in continental conversations around mobility, identity, and access.

Heirs Insurance Group—comprising Heirs General Insurance, Heirs Life Assurance, and Heirs Insurance Brokers—is the insurance subsidiary of Heirs Holdings, the pan-African investment powerhouse with presence in 24 countries across four continents. With its expanding retail network and strong digital channels, the Group continues to lead Nigeria’s digital insurance revolution and financial inclusion agenda, staying true to its commitment to democratise access to insurance for all.