Staff Interview with Confidence Aguiyi

What inspired you to work for Ucomeafrik Tours?

My passion for tour guiding and crafting tours for Nigeria was spurred by the urge to correct the negative impression lots of people have about my country (Nigeria) and its capital, Lagos.

As a first timer listening to the media, I understand that the impressions you hear could sound scary, but my mission is to let you know that this is far from the truth. My strong desire to change perceptions and increase the tourist flow to Nigeria is a cause I proudly take on.

I have asked myself a number of times if this task is achievable before getting into this venture, and the resounding feeling is YES. It is a task I have performed time and time again in recent months.

Describe a typical day at work.

It's always amazing and interesting to work with people from different walks of life. A typical day is very adventurous, because we are always travelling, talking about history, culture, and discovering new places.

My services:

• Airport pick up and drop off
• Transportation
• Logistics
• Invitation letter/documents for visa acquisition
• Facilitate and obtain a "visa upon arrival" at the airport only by official prior arrangements before your arrival.
• Market survey for organisations and individuals in business
• Business facilitation for people coming for business trips
• Translation service in french and two major Nigeria languages (Yoruba/Igbo)

Why do you do what you do?

I love offering private tours. They give me the opportunity to have a real connection with the guests. I talk about subjects the guests care about and answer questions they have in mind. As a private tour guide, I have crafted (and I’m still crafting) excursions that would capture the imagination of travelers, while offering a lot of flexibility to accommodate their preferences.

What is your favorite part of your job?

Drafting, planning, and executing the tours. I have always enjoyed taking tours myself and create my tours with inspiration from my own experiences. As a tour guide, I love offering captivating historical details, combined with some original material, and with a lot of humor. I love offering private tours and concierge services. They give me the opportunity to have a real connection with the guests.

How do you use your education and international background in your current role?

My education has given me an edge in the sense that I can adapt to any kind of job specification from any client. It also has given me the ability to understand the complexities of different kinds of travelers.

What challenges do you often face and how do you overcome them?

Oftentimes the challenges can come when you have a car break down, or maybe the computer crashes, or a traveler drinks too much. I believe that patience is the key in situations like those, as well as being proactive in getting things fixed or maybe calming the traveler to become sober.

What are some current projects you are working on?

Culture exchange time out in summer 2021; " Bénin Traditional dance and drumming class";

festival tours (Osun Osogbo Shrine and Groove, Calabar festivals etc. ); medical research tours; historical tours; adventure tours; wildlife safari tours; cultural exchange tours; pleasure and romance tours; city tours; nature tours; custom/tailor maid tours; and business tours.

What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?

It is safe to book your travel with us. We will give you the best service. Please contact me on your next planned trip to Lagos, Nigeria; Cotonou, Benin; Lome, Togo; Accra, Ghana and West Africa at large. I will give you the best assistance so that you can have a wonderful experience.

What makes Ucomeafrik Tours special?

Booking my tours these are the services included:

• Airport pick up and drop off
• Transportation
• Logistics
• Invitation letter/documents for visa acquisition
• Facilitate and obtain a "visa upon arrival" at the airport only by official prior arrangements before your arrival.
• Market survey for organisations and individuals in business
• Business facilitation for people coming for business trips
• Translation service in french and two major Nigeria languages (Yoruba/Igbo)

Why should someone choose your organization over competitors?

Because we treat each traveler as our only client, therefore giving you one on one service that is so exceptional and flexible. Going on tour with us, your safety is guaranteed.

What hopes do you have for the future for your organization?

To be the number in terms of delivering private tours and offering private tour guide services and volunteer opportunities within West Africa. Also, to be a home grown, top African travel company in western Africa, with original information about the top destinations across Africa.

What makes Ucomeafrik Tours easy to market to potential participants?

We are always on time to respond to inquiries, and are available on time during pickups and drop offs. We make sure we don't keep you waiting. Our name also stands out as it is focused on Africa.

What is your organization's mission and how do you continue to work toward it?

• Continuously provide enjoyable quality excursions/trips on time and on budget.
• Develop enthusiastic and satisfied customers all of the time.
• Establish a market presence that assures short-term and long-term profitability, growth, and success.
• We are fully committed to supporting tourism growth and development that helps the Nigerian economy and other west African countries.
• Contribute positively to our communities and our environment.

What do you hope participants take away from your programs?

Gain access to exclusive experiences. Learn a new skill, and also positively impact communities. Get recognition from our organisation. Traveling does help improve our life experiences. 

How do you help support participants?

We support participants by providing answers to their various questions before, during, and at the end of each tour program. We ensure that their safety is of great importance to us.

If you could participate on one of Ucomeafrik Tours’ programs, where would you go and what would you do?

I will participate in our four country tour which covers Nigeria, Togo, Benin, and Ghana. I will also participate in the volunteering opportunities in the orphanages.

Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?

You learn without even trying.

You interact with different people.

You can practice or learn a new language.

You learn to get around in a new environment.

You are more likely to do things you wouldn't normally do at home.

You grow and become a better you.

Why do you think learning a new language is important?

It helps you live more like a local person and it helps to build more trust for you within the community you are travelling. It also gives you an added advantage in terms of safety precautions.

What does meaningful travel mean to you?

It means travel that has enriched you, and that has also impacted the community you have traveled  to. I also think it’s the same as responsible travelling, and travel that helps you to learn new things.

What hopes do you have for the future of international education?

I hope that it will become better and more exceptional with technological advancements, and that international education will be a whole lot better and more progressive.

What qualities in program & host community relations are important to you? (And Ucomeafrik Tours?)

The core of it is the cultural values that benefit the traveler, and the impact and developmental benefits that travel brings. 

The qualities are timelines in terms of impact, reach, and competence.