FG orders immediate enforcement of NIHOTOUR Act, targets industry-wide compliance
Maureen Aguta
The Federal Government has ordered the immediate and full implementation of the NIHOTOUR Act 2022 and the NIHOTOUR Regulations 2025, in a decisive move to tighten regulation, raise standards and reposition Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism sector for global competitiveness.
The directive was issued by the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy in a letter dated February 26, 2028, and signed by the Minister, Hannatu Musa Musawa. The communication mandates the Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Abisoye Fagade, to commence immediate enforcement of the law in line with the powers conferred on the Institute by its Establishment Act and subsidiary regulations.
The move signals what industry observers describe as a regulatory reset for a sector long challenged by weak compliance, inconsistent standards and fragmented professional oversight.
In the directive, the Minister stressed that effective regulation of personnel and operators across the hospitality, travel and tourism ecosystem is central to unlocking the sector’s economic potential.
“The regulation of personnel and operators within the hospitality, travel and tourism sectors, as specified in the Act, is essential to enhancing professionalism, service quality, consumer protection and sustainable industry growth,” the Minister stated.
She added that the regulatory framework establishes minimum benchmarks for skills, ethics, safety and operational procedures, noting that strict enforcement would strengthen public confidence, improve Nigeria’s competitiveness and align the industry with both national and international best practices.
Industry stakeholders say the implementation of the Act and Regulations could mark a turning point for the tourism value chain, which spans hotels, tour operators, travel agencies, event managers, catering services and other allied businesses.
The Ministry further described the enforcement as a strategic milestone aimed at strengthening institutional governance within the sector. It is expected to standardise training and certification processes, ensure compliance with operational standards and boost investor confidence in Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality landscape.
Under the directive, NIHOTOUR is to formally communicate the enforcement order to all departments, operators, practitioners and relevant stakeholders under its regulatory purview to ensure full and immediate compliance.
Analysts note that beyond compliance, the broader objective is to formalise the industry and create a structured professional environment capable of attracting both domestic and foreign investment. For years, calls have intensified for stricter regulation to curb quackery, improve service delivery and elevate Nigeria’s tourism profile in the global market.
The Federal Government maintains that a properly regulated tourism ecosystem will not only enhance service quality but also drive job creation, skills development and revenue growth.
With the enforcement order now in effect, attention shifts to NIHOTOUR’s implementation strategy and how operators across the country will respond to the new compliance expectations.
The Ministry reiterated its commitment to building a vibrant, well-regulated and globally competitive hospitality and tourism industry—one that reflects Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage while serving as a sustainable engine of economic growth.