Bethia Idoko: A Nigerian Traveler’s Journey to 99 Countries
Bethia Idoko, a prominent Nigerian travel expert, philanthropist, and Head of Business Development at GidiTraffic, has become an inspiration for many aspiring global explorers from Nigeria. As of recent reports, she has visited 99 countries using only her Nigerian passport—a remarkable feat given the Nigerian passport’s ranking as one of the least powerful in the world (currently around 95th on the Henley Passport Index, allowing visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to just 46 destinations as of 2025). Her story highlights resilience, strategic planning, and a passion for demystifying international travel for Africans. While the specific exclusive interview titled “How Bethia Idoko Traveled to 99 Countries with a Nigerian Passport” on The Coffee Table (published by Nairametrics on September 12, 2025) details her full journey, publicly available insights from her previous interviews, speaking engagements, and profiles reveal key strategies she has shared over the years. These have evolved as her travel count grew from 30 countries in 2019, to over 66 in 2024, 90 in early 2025, and now 99.
Below, I’ll outline how Bethia achieved this based on her documented advice and experiences. Her approach emphasizes building credibility, meticulous preparation, and learning from rejections—common challenges for Nigerian passport holders who often face high visa denial rates (up to 40-50% for popular destinations like the US and Schengen Area) due to perceived overstay risks.
1. Building a Strong Travel History Step by Step
Bethia’s journey began with accessible destinations to establish a “good passport story.” She advises starting small to demonstrate reliability to embassies.
- Start with Visa-Friendly Countries: Begin with nations offering visa-free entry or easy visas for Nigerians, such as other ECOWAS countries (e.g., Ghana, Senegal) or those with visa-on-arrival like Turkey, Kenya, or Rwanda. This builds stamps and proof of timely returns, which future applications reference.
- Example: In a 2024 interview on Channels TV’s Rubbin’ Minds, Bethia shared her experience with Turkish Airlines, where she highlighted how initial trips to easier destinations helped her secure more complex visas later.
- Progressive Expansion: Once you have 5-10 countries under your belt, apply for tougher visas (e.g., Schengen or US). By 2024, she had visited 67 countries, often speaking at events like the Omniverse Summit about using tech and hacks to “demystify travel on a Nigerian passport.”
- Quote from Bethia (2025 Nairametrics Interview): “Your passport tells a story. Use it to show that you travel responsibly and return home.” This layered approach took her from regional travel to global adventures, accumulating experiences in over 22 Nigerian states domestically as a foundation.
2. Mastering Visa Applications: Documentation and Strategy
Visa rejections are a major hurdle for Nigerians, even when requirements are met, due to issues like incomplete paperwork or embassy biases. Bethia, with her wealth of approvals and rejections, stresses precision.
- Verify Requirements Directly: Always check embassy websites, not third-party agents or blogs, to avoid outdated info. For instance, Schengen visas require proof of funds (at least €50-100 per day), accommodation, and itineraries.
- Key Documents and Tips:
- Proof of Ties to Nigeria: Bank statements showing steady income, employment letter, property deeds, or family affidavits to prove you’ll return.
- Financial Stability: Consistent savings (e.g., 3-6 months’ statements) and travel insurance covering at least €30,000.
- Itinerary and Purpose: Detailed plans, including return tickets and hotel bookings. Bethia recommends using cancellable bookings to avoid losses on rejections.
- Professional Help if Needed: Consult experts for complex cases, but avoid scams. “Paying for proper consultation can save you from losing more money to rejections,” she advises.
- Handling Rejections: Treat them as learning opportunities. Reapply after 6 months with improved docs. Bethia has faced multiple denials but turned them into successes by addressing feedback.
- Challenges: Nigerian passports trigger extra airport screenings and suspicions of overstaying. In her experiences, she’s encountered delays but overcomes them with calm demeanor and complete docs. In a June 2025 Nairametrics exclusive (when she had 90 countries), Bethia explained that poor documentation causes 70% of denials, even for qualified applicants.
3. Travel Hacks and Practical Strategies
Bethia’s success isn’t just visas—it’s smart execution. As CEO of Travel With Bethia, she shares hacks for affordability and efficiency.
- Leverage Group or Business Travel: Her role at GidiTraffic (a media and traffic management firm) likely facilitated some business-related trips, easing visa approvals. She recommends applying under business or conference categories for higher success rates.
- Affordable Routing: Use hubs like Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) or Dubai for layovers that count as visits if you exit the airport. Start with budget airlines and multi-city tickets.
- Timing and Persistence: Apply 3-6 months in advance during off-peak seasons. Track embassy processing times (e.g., UK visas take 3 weeks).
- Overcoming Nigerian Passport Limitations: With only 46 visa-free destinations, she maximizes visa-on-arrival options (e.g., 20+ countries like Thailand or Mexico with prior e-approvals). For the rest, she builds on her history—e.g., a strong African/European record helps Asian applications.
- Philanthropy and Networking: Her 20+ years supporting orphanages (e.g., Little Saints Orphanage) may indirectly boost her profile, but she emphasizes personal effort over connections. At the 2024 Omniverse Summit, she discussed “travel and tech hacks,” like using apps for real-time visa updates and virtual consultations.
4. Challenges Faced and Lessons Learned
- Visa Denials and Biases: Despite meeting criteria, rejections occur due to “subjective embassy decisions.” Bethia notes Nigerians face higher scrutiny post-COVID.
- Airport Hassles: Extra checks at immigration, but she advises politeness and having all docs handy.
- Financial Strain: Travel isn’t cheap; she funds it through her career in marketing and real estate, advising others to budget (visas alone cost ₦50,000-200,000).
- Evolution to 99 Countries: From 30 in 2019 to 99 by September 2025, her pace accelerated with experience. Recent additions likely include challenging spots like the US or Australia, built on her established history. Quote from Bethia: “Build a travel history: Start with countries that have relatively more open and easy visa policies for Nigerians.”
Why Her Story Matters
Bethia Idoko’s achievement proves that a Nigerian passport doesn’t limit dreams—strategy does. She’s won awards like Top 100 Tourism Personality in Nigeria (2024) and uses platforms like Travel With Bethia to mentor others. For the full exclusive on The Coffee Table, which likely includes her latest tips on reaching 99 (possibly covering recent trips to hard-to-reach countries), visit the Nairametrics article directly.
If you’re inspired, start with ECOWAS travel and consult official sources. Safe journeys!