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By Henry Uche
Dr (Mrs) Akunna Victoria Opara-Enwereuzo is the CEO/Travel Consultant at BUJ Travel and Tours. With over 14 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry, BUJ Travels and Tours built a solid track record of helping countless clients explore global opportunities through education, tourism, and cultural exchange.
It has achieved 90 percent success rate in guiding prospective students to secure admissions and student visas to study in Europe, Canada, the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom. The company has also successfully organized tourist trips for over 2,000 travelers to destinations across Europe, Asia, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Canada, and beyond. In this interview, Mrs. Akunna said she is passionate about promoting authentic travel experiences, helping people discover the world through enriching tours, and simplifying international study and travel processes for her clients.
Please give us a snapshot of yourself.
I am from Ihiagwa in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria, but I was bred in Lagos State, where I had my primary, secondary, and university education. I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography and Regional Planning from Lagos State University (LASU), a Master’s degree in Digital Management of Tourism and Hospitality from Ascencia Business School College de Paris, Paris, France, and a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) from Mash International School of Business, Paris, France.
How did you get into travel and tourism?
My passion for travel started very early. Growing up, my elder sister worked in the aviation industry, and listening to her talk about flight reservations and ticketing sparked my curiosity. I often had friends and family members come to me for travel advice, and over time, I realized how naturally I connected with people and how much I enjoyed helping them with their travel plans.
That interest led me to take a professional course in Automated Fares and Ticketing using the Galileo (now Travelport GDS system), which helped me gain the technical knowledge I needed to fully understand the travel industry. By the time I completed the training it was a foregone conclusion that I would get into entrepreneurship to set a private business. So, I established BUJ Travels and Tours, and over the years, expanded into BUJ Properties and BUJ Worldwide Services.
In essence, I never worked for anyone from the beginning, because I have always been an entrepreneur at heart. I wanted to create something of my own. I was driven by passion and the belief that with dedication and honesty, one could build a brand that truly serves people. So, my decision to start BUJ Travels came naturally; it was a journey of purpose.
What was the take off experience like smooth or bumpy?
It was smooth at the beginning, but the middle phase was challenging. Like many entrepreneurs, I faced financial pressures, operational challenges, and the difficulty of building trust in a highly competitive industry. However, through consistency, discipline, and faith, I pushed through the tough times. Today, I’m grateful to say that things are much smoother. We have built a solid reputation and a loyal client base.
How did you handle the turbulent winds (challenges) that came along the way?
I stayed focused and learned to be adaptable. Every challenge taught me something from managing clients’ expectations to dealing with industry changes and regulatory hurdles. I surrounded myself with a small but committed team, and we learned to see challenges as opportunities for growth. Above all, I relied on prayer, patience and perseverance.
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The French have always been interested in visiting Africa for business and sightseeing. Has your organization ever packaged a tour to Nigeria for French tourists? What was the experience like?
Yes, we have received several tour inquiries and organized travel arrangements for French clients interested in experiencing Nigeria’s rich culture, festivals, and hospitality. While the experience was positive, it also revealed the need for better tourism infrastructure and security to make Nigeria even more attractive to international visitors. We have also participated in education fairs organized by Campus France Nigeria, representing partner institutions such as ISTEC Business School, ISC Group of Schools, MASH International, Ascencia Business School, Collège de Paris, and others. In addition, BUJ Travels has organized incentive trips for our dedicated staff to destinations like Canada and France, which has helped the company gain international recognition and valuable expertise in the global travel and tourism field.
Top private schools in Nigeria often organise foreign excursions for their students. Talk a bit about such excursions packaged by your organization.
At BUJ Travels, we regularly organize educational tours and excursions for top private schools in Nigeria, often in collaboration with our partner agencies. These trips are designed to give students global exposure and help them learn beyond the classroom. Over the years, we have coordinated school trips to countries such as France, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates, where students visit historical sites, universities, and technology centres. We ensure every trip is safe, educational, and well-structured, with complete documentation, travel insurance, and on-ground support. Our goal is to make learning enjoyable and to inspire young Nigerians to dream beyond borders.
In this time when some Nigerians use group tours as an opportunity to abscond (“japa”), how do you ensure that no such person brings embarrassment to your organization?
We take this issue very seriously. Before including anyone in a group trip, we conduct background checks and ensure proper documentation and financial proof are in place. We also work closely with embassies to ensure all participants have genuine travel intentions following up with their required process and documents. At BUJ Travels, we value our reputation, the reputation of our country, Nigeria, and that’s why we emphasize integrity, transparency, and responsibility in all our operations.
What has been your experience in dealing with Nigeria’s embassy staff with respect to helping clients intending to visit Nigeria from France in securing visas from the embassy or consulate?
Generally, the experience has been fair. Staff members of the Nigerian Embassy in France are professional and cooperative, although the process can sometimes be slow due to administrative bottlenecks. I believe that with better communication, improved digital systems, and streamlined procedures, the process could become more efficient, encouraging more visitors to Nigeria. Additionally, I would strongly suggest that when a student visa or any visa type is refused, the specific reason for the denial should be clearly stated. This transparency would help both the student and the agency understand what went wrong and take the necessary corrective steps. Overall, it has been a wonderful experience working with the Embassy and its partner agencies, and I look forward to even stronger collaboration in the future.
What are the deficiencies of Nigeria as a tourism destination that you would like the government to urgently address?
There’s a lot of potential in Nigeria, but several areas need urgent attention, such as: poor road networks, inadequate security, limited direct flight routes, poor infrastructure and planning, and an unstable electricity supply have long hindered the growth of tourism in Nigeria. If these key areas are addressed, tourism will flourish and attract more international visitors. I would like to emphasize that tourism is no longer just about “come, see, and go.” It has become a significant contributor to government revenue. Developing this sector does not necessarily require a huge budget, but it demands dedication, fairness, and, above all, adequate security. While I recognize that security is not solely the responsibility of the government, we as citizens also play a vital role. I encourage the government to prioritize this sector and revive existing initiatives. My company and I are committed to contributing to the improvement of Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality industry, helping to unlock its full potential.
Several Nigerian women today lead major corporate bodies and universities, but none has ever been directly elected as a state governor. How can this be made to happen in 2027?
I believe it begins with equal opportunity and genuine support for women in leadership. Nigerian women are capable, visionary, and resilient. What we need is a system that trusts and invests in women’s leadership, not just in words but in action. If political parties can create fair structures and society continues to encourage women to step forward, 2027 could be the year Nigeria finally elects its first female governor.
