Since 1987 when it was founded through a tripartite agreement between the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), theNational Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) has become Nigeria’s apex institution for training, certification, and professional regulation in the hospitality, travel, and tourism industry.
But many Nigerians, even in the multimillion dollar industry, did not know the organization existed. The Agency’s lofty objectives and infrastructure deteriorated, its initiatives and innovations gathered dust, and its impact was barely felt by the citizenry it ought to serve.
But there is a Renewed Hope in the horizon. This is with the appointment of Abisoye Fagade as the new Director General, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, NIHOTOUR in November, 2024 by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.
First and foremost, the new DG has brought a new vigour into the enforcement of standards in the industry. He believes that there must be adherence to global best practices in the industry. This is what will foster sustainable growth in Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism economy.
Recently, the man at the helms at NIHOTOUR, Fagade officially commenced a rigorous compliance exercise across Lagos State with focus on hotels, restaurants, and other establishments within the hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors. This initiative is in furtherance of NIHOTOUR’s statutory mandate to standardize and regulate professional practices within the industry nationwide.The compliance drive seeks to ensure that all personnel, practitioners, and operators within the sector are duly certified and registered with NIHOTOUR, in accordance with the NIHOTOUR Establishment Act 2022.
When the officers with support of the Nigeria Police moved out, many practitioners were even ignorant of the existence of the regulatory organization, some who knew were in shock and disbelief that the almost moribund organization could receive such a new zest of life, while some others called friends and associates in power hoping that they could sideline the renewed efforts but no, the helmsman Fagade stood his ground that policies and processes will be followed to the letter irrespective of whose ox is gored. This new move has quickly signalled to owners, managers, and practitioners in the hospitality business that a new sheriff is here. From Lagos, the drive will move to Abuja to Port Harcourt, Kano, and other parts of the country. The enforcement is also down the ladder from five-star to the small hotels with firm resolution that best practices must be in place.
This compliance drive reinforces NIHOTOUR’s unwavering commitment to repositioning the Nigerian hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors as key pillars of national development under the Renewed Hope Agenda. The Institute will continue to engage stakeholders constructively, while ensuring strict adherence to the laws governing the sector.
During the week, TheMediaGood Newspaper can report that several leading establishments were visited, including Marriott Hotel Ikeja GRA, The Sojourner, Sheraton Lagos, Radisson Blu Victoria Island, Black Diamond Hotel, and FourPoints By Sheraton. These visits followed the issuance of multiple letters of demand and contravention notices to the affected organizations. However, these big names in the hospitality business have all commenced the process of registration and certification, in line with regulatory expectations.
In a press interview, the DG, Abisoye Fagade hinted that the enforcement drive became expedient following multiple warning notices which yielded little or no result.
‘After months of deliberations and sensitization with different key stakeholders under the umbrella of the Federation for Tourism Association of Nigeria, that has its executives cuts across associated bodies such as Nigeria Hotel Association, Hotel Owners Forum Abuja, Hotel and Personnel Services Association of Nigeria, National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies, Nigerian Hotels and Catering Institute, Nigerian Association of Tour Operators, Hospitality and Tourism Management Association of Nigeria, among others within the hospitality, travels and tourism sectors spanning the months of December 2024, January to February 2025, NIHOTOUR decided to proceed with demand letters dated March 4,2025 to all these hotels and restaurants been visited now.’
‘One month later in April 2025, A final demand letter was issued to all of these hotels and given another 30 days to comply. By May 2025, contravention forms were served on all of the hotels and restaurants demanding they comply in May 2025. Failure to which led to this enforcement exercise in June 2025.’
On the payment protocol, he noted that ‘What is payable per hotel differs. What we have said is for each hotel to send the profiles and CVs of their management staff to enable us to determine what is payable. Even though the law mandates the certification of all staff of the hotel. Rather we were ignored. The law applies across the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It will be compliance across the board. We are just starting with Lagos and Abuja’, Fagade hinted.
Lending her voice to the development, the Director of Legal Services at NIHOTOUR, Mrs. Mariam Inuwa, Esq, highlighted the Institute’s legal responsibilities as captured in Section 5(1)(h) of the Act, which authorizes NIHOTOUR to regulate the activities of hospitality, travel, and tourism professionals in Nigeria. She further referenced Section 4(o) of the Act, which mandates the certification of all practitioners in order to promote uniform standards, professionalism, and quality service delivery within the industry.
The recent Enforcement exercise was led by Mr. Ibe and his NIHOTOUR team alongside Police officers from the Lagos State Police Command. It covered hotels within the Victoria Island axis. It is expected to continue to other regions in Lagos soonest.