Tourism, hospitality need strong legal framework — NBA President
By Maureen Aguta
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has called for the establishment of a robust regulatory framework for Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism industry, stressing that effective legal structures are essential to unlock the sector’s full economic potential.
Osigwe made the call when the Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Dr. Abisoye Fagade, paid him a courtesy visit at the NBA House in Abuja.
Commending NIHOTOUR’s ongoing transformation agenda, Osigwe lauded Dr. Fagade’s efforts to professionalize the sector through capacity building and institutional reforms. He said proper regulation would ensure accountability, uphold standards, and protect consumers—key elements, he noted, that could position the industry as a major driver of national development.
“Our hospitality and tourism industry must be regulated to yield maximum benefits for Nigeria,” Osigwe said. “Proper standards, accountability, and consumer protection are key. The NBA is ready to collaborate with NIHOTOUR in providing the necessary legal backbone to achieve this.”
He further emphasised that with the right legal and institutional frameworks, the sector could become one of Nigeria’s most reliable engines for job creation, youth empowerment, and global competitiveness.
Responding, Dr. Fagade expressed appreciation for the NBA’s readiness to collaborate, describing the Association as an indispensable ally in strengthening governance and compliance across the tourism value chain.
“Regulation backed by strong legal principles is vital to ensuring our sector’s growth is both sustainable and globally credible,” Fagade said. “NIHOTOUR is committed to driving this transformation in line with the National Tourism Policy.”
The visit, which formalises a budding partnership between NIHOTOUR and the NBA, is expected to pave the way for joint initiatives in legal reform, policy development, and professional training in tourism law and ethics.
Observers say the collaboration reflects a growing recognition that tourism—long viewed as a soft industry—requires rigorous governance frameworks to thrive. NIHOTOUR’s drive for professionalization and legal alignment, backed by the NBA’s institutional expertise, could mark a turning point in Nigeria’s efforts to build a structured, compliant, and globally competitive hospitality sector.
