The Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Dr Abisoye Fagade, has disclosed that the institute will sustain implementation of the NIHOTOUR Act while deepening stakeholder engagement.
Fagade stated this during an interactive session with members of the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism on Monday in Lagos.
He said ongoing reforms were aimed at strengthening regulation, improving professional standards and repositioning Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality industry for sustainable growth
According to him, the establishment of Nigeria’s first national register of tourism and hospitality professionals marked a significant milestone in implementing the Act.
He explained that the register was a statutory requirement designed to provide a framework for identifying qualified practitioners across the industry.
“Tourism now has a register. Whether we have 76 people on it or 25 people on it, we have a register.
“Every other person that is not on that list of register is a quack,” he said.
The NIHOTOUR chief described the register as a foundational achievement that would strengthen professionalism, accountability and public confidence within the sector.
Fagade said the institute had introduced nationally recognised professional grades and honours for practitioners and expanded training programmes across the country.
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He announced that plans were at an advanced stage to establish a tourism academy that would coordinate professional development across the industry.
According to him, NIHOTOUR would accredit qualified private training providers instead of establishing government-owned institutions nationwide.
He said the institute would regulate curricula, certify graduates and ensure uniform quality standards across accredited training centres.
Fagade revealed that NIHOTOUR had expanded its training footprint from about nine states to 30 states within the last two years.
He said the number of trainees had increased from about 1,000 annually to approximately 3,000 during the same period.
“Our training is going hyper-smooth. We’re able to harmonise all our training and create a new structure.
“We are towards the end of creating a tourism academy,” Fagade said.
According to him, continuous professional development would become central to industry practice, requiring establishments to prioritise regular workforce training.
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Fagade also highlighted the establishment of a tribunal under the Act to handle disputes within the tourism and hospitality industry.
He said the tribunal would provide operators and employees with an alternative dispute resolution mechanism while strengthening regulatory oversight.
The DG disclosed that NIHOTOUR was developing regulatory frameworks covering hotel classification, accreditation of training institutions and expatriate appointments.
He stressed that the reforms would promote merit, encourage development of qualified Nigerian professionals and create a structured environment for investors.
Responding to concerns over the Act’s implementation, Fagade maintained that NIHOTOUR had consistently pursued dialogue and remained open to constructive engagement.
He said a recently inaugurated committee would develop a national framework for recognition, collaboration and governance of professional bodies in the sector.
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The committee, he explained, would consult stakeholders and submit recommendations to guide future regulatory frameworks
Fagade explained that the committee’s role was advisory and intended to strengthen collaboration rather than replace existing professional associations.
He acknowledged calls for amendments to the NIHOTOUR Act, noting that Nigerians had the constitutional right to seek legislative changes.
However, he emphasised that the institute remained legally obligated to implement the law until any amendments were enacted by the National Assembly.
Fagade dismissed suggestions that the reforms targeted operators, insisting that the objective was to build a globally competitive tourism industry.
He said the reforms were anchored on quality service delivery, standardised training and effective regulation aligned with international best practices.
The DG emphasised that sustained collaboration among government agencies, professional bodies, investors and practitioners remained essential for achieving the Act’s objectives.
According to him such cooperation would help unlock the tourism sector’s economic potential and drive long-term industry development.
The NIHOTOUR Act came into force in 2023 and expanded the institute’s regulatory powers.
The Act empowers NIHOTOUR to oversee registration, certification, training and professional development across hospitality, tourism, travel and allied industries.
Its implementation has generated debate, with some stakeholders seeking further consultations and amendments, while NIHOTOUR insists the provisions support global best practices.
NAN
