NIHOTOUR-HOMAL feud deepens as Institute rejects harassment claims, heads to appeal court
Says disputed fees were collected under statutory mandate, not extortion
Maureen Aguta
The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) has rejected claims that a recent Federal High Court judgment in a suit filed by the Hotel Owners and Managers Association of Lagos (HOMAL) vindicated allegations of harassment against hotel owners, insisting that the ruling will be challenged.
The Institute said the judgment, which has been portrayed in some media reports as ending its alleged harassment of hotel operators in Lagos, did not establish that fees collected from HOMAL members were extorted or paid under duress.
In a statement issued by its Special Adviser on Media, Dr Boye Longe, NIHOTOUR described such interpretations of the judgment as misleading, maintaining that the dispute centred on regulatory jurisdiction within Lagos State.
According to the Institute, the fees were collected in the exercise of its statutory responsibilities under the NIHOTOUR Establishment Act, 2022, which empowers it to register, certify and set professional standards for the hospitality and tourism workforce across Nigeria.
NIHOTOUR maintained that its actions were guided by its interpretation of the law and its responsibility to promote professionalism in the hospitality and tourism industry.
The Institute also confirmed that it was obtaining a certified copy of the judgment and would challenge the ruling based on legal advice.
It said the legal process remained ongoing, cautioning against presenting the judgment as a final resolution of the dispute.
“As stated last week, NIHOTOUR is obtaining the certified judgment and, on legal advice, proceeding to challenge the ruling,” the statement said.
The Institute’s position signals a continuation of the legal disagreement between the tourism regulator and hotel operators over the extent of its regulatory authority in Lagos State.
While HOMAL’s suit has drawn attention to the question of regulatory jurisdiction, NIHOTOUR argued that its mandate was intended to protect the interests of hospitality workers, guests and businesses through improved professional standards.
It maintained that a skilled and certified workforce would benefit hotel owners by strengthening service delivery, improving industry standards and enhancing the overall quality of hospitality services.
The Institute said it would refrain from engaging in a public exchange over the characterisation of the dispute, choosing instead to pursue the legal process and defend what it considers its statutory responsibilities.
NIHOTOUR assured stakeholders that it would provide further updates as the legal proceedings progress.