The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) has begun studying the Nigerian Society of Engineers’ (NSE) institutional framework to strengthen professionalism and reforms.
FTAN President, Dr Aliyu Badaki, disclosed this during a visit by tourism stakeholders to the NSE National Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.
The visit, organized under FTAN’s Tourism<span;> Transformation Mandate(TTM) to reposition Nigeria’s tourism sector.
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The initiative seeks improved governance, stronger institutions, enhanced professional standards and comprehensive reforms capable of driving sustainable growth across the tourism industry.
Badaki said FTAN was examining the engineering profession’s operational structure to identify institutional practices supporting a coordinated, accountable and professional tourism industry.
He explained that both organisations function as umbrella bodies for professional associations, making the NSE’s institutional model particularly relevant to FTAN’s transformation agenda.
“We are here to collaborate and learn from the Nigerian Society of Engineers because your institution has built a strong professional structure over the years.
“That structure continues to earn national and international recognition,” Badaki said during the engagement with the engineering body.
“We believe that learning from your experience will help us build a stronger framework that will benefit the tourism industry, businesses and the nation’s economy,” he said.
Badaki said FTAN’s transformation agenda aimed to restructure the tourism sector to deliver improved outcomes for operators, investors and the wider Nigerian economy.
He expressed concern over overlapping responsibilities among some tourism institutions, saying duplication often weakens efficiency, accountability and effective sectoral coordination.
According to him, clearly defined responsibilities for regulators, professional bodies and operators remain vital to strengthening professionalism and improving service delivery.
He added that proper institutional alignment would minimise conflicts, encourage cooperation and create a more predictable operating environment for tourism stakeholders.
Responding, NSE President, Mr Ali Rabiu, commended FTAN for seeking lessons from an established professional institution to support tourism sector reforms.
Rabiu said the NSE, established in 1958, had grown into a respected professional body through sound governance, collaboration and sustained capacity development.
He noted that engineering and tourism shared a natural relationship because engineers provide infrastructure supporting travel, hospitality, recreation and destination development.
“Engineering and tourism remain closely connected because engineers design transportation systems, resorts and other infrastructure supporting tourism development,” Rabiu said.
According to him, separating regulatory and professional responsibilities has strengthened engineering practice and institutional effectiveness throughout Nigeria’s engineering profession.
He explained that the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria regulates engineering practice, while the NSE focuses on advocacy and professional development.
Rabiu assured FTAN that the society remained willing to share its institutional experiences and collaborate towards building stronger tourism institutions nationwide.
He said stronger institutions would enhance professionalism and support sustainable tourism development capable of contributing significantly to Nigeria’s economic diversification efforts.
The NSE Director of Professional Development, Mr Babatunde Odunlami, stressed the importance of collaboration among professional bodies across strategic sectors.
Odunlami said sustained partnerships promote best practices, strengthen institutions and improve professional capacity for long-term national development.
He added that continuous engagement between the NSE and FTAN would support successful implementation of reforms within Nigeria’s evolving tourism industry.
FTAN First Deputy President, Mrs Susan Akporiaye, appreciated the NSE leadership for hosting the delegation and reaffirmed the federation’s commitment to strategic partnerships.
She said collaboration with credible professional institutions would strengthen tourism development and accelerate the implementation of reforms across the country.
Journalist reports that participants described the engagement as an important milestone towards institutional collaboration and sustainable reforms within Nigeria’s tourism sector.
The visit concluded with the exchange of commemorative gifts between the presidents of FTAN and the Nigerian Society of Engineers, symbolising their commitment to future collaboration.
