NIHOTOUR moves to professionalise tourism sector, sets up national governance committee
Maureen Aguta
The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) has inaugurated a National Committee on Industry Professional Bodies Recognition and Governance as part of efforts to strengthen professionalism, institutional governance and stakeholder collaboration in Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism industry.
The committee, inaugurated at the Institute’s headquarters in Abuja by the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIHOTOUR, Aare Abisoye Fagade, has been tasked with developing a national framework for the recognition, collaboration and governance of professional bodies operating within Nigeria’s hospitality, tourism, travel and allied sectors.
The move follows the Institute’s recent stakeholder conference and forms part of its broader reform agenda aimed at repositioning the industry for global competitiveness.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, Fagade described the initiative as a strategic intervention designed to strengthen institutional credibility, promote ethical standards and foster greater cooperation among professional bodies within the sector.
According to him, while Nigeria is home to numerous professional associations serving different segments of the industry, there is an urgent need for a coherent governance framework that promotes professionalism, accountability, mutual recognition and adherence to globally accepted standards.
“The future of every profession depends not only on the competence of its practitioners but also on the strength of the institutions that represent them. This Committee has been entrusted with the responsibility of laying the foundation for a transparent, credible and nationally accepted framework that will guide the recognition and governance of professional bodies within our industry,” he said.
Fagade noted that the Committee’s mandate aligns with the provisions of the NIHOTOUR Establishment Act, 2022, which empowers the Institute to regulate standards, promote professional development and strengthen institutional capacity within Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism ecosystem.
He disclosed that the Committee has been given three months to submit recommendations on objective criteria for recognising professional bodies within the industry, governance and accountability standards for recognised associations, ethical principles and professional practice guidelines, as well as frameworks for collaboration between professional organisations and relevant government institutions.
The Committee is also expected to identify areas of overlap among professional bodies and recommend mechanisms for improved coordination, cooperation and specialisation while preserving their unique and legitimate roles.
Fagade emphasised that the initiative is not intended to restrict legitimate professional organisations but rather to establish clear standards that encourage excellence, transparency and public confidence in the sector.
Addressing members of the Committee, he urged them to approach their assignment with objectivity, inclusiveness and patriotism.
“You have been selected because of your experience, integrity and commitment to the industry. Your recommendations must be practical, inclusive, legally sound and capable of strengthening institutions that will outlive individuals.
This is an opportunity to shape the future governance architecture of Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism profession,” he added.
Responding on behalf of the Committee, its Chairman, Professor Wasiu A. Babalola (SAN), expressed appreciation to the management of NIHOTOUR for the confidence reposed in the members and pledged their commitment to delivering recommendations that will advance the collective interests of the industry.
He described the assignment as a national responsibility that requires collaboration, objectivity and extensive stakeholder engagement.
“This Committee represents a unique opportunity for industry stakeholders to collectively shape the future governance framework of our profession. We shall approach this assignment with integrity, fairness and professionalism. Our objective is to produce recommendations that reflect global best practices while responding to Nigeria’s unique industry realities,” Babalola said.
He assured stakeholders that the Committee would encourage broad consultations across the industry to ensure its recommendations reflect the aspirations of practitioners, operators, academia, investors, regulators and professional bodies.
“Every legitimate stakeholder has a voice that deserves to be heard. We intend to engage widely because sustainable reforms can only emerge through inclusive dialogue, evidence-based deliberations and consensus-building,” he stated.
Members of the Committee were drawn from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to ensure broad regional representation and diversity of expertise. They include Dr. Muhammad Nasir Yusuf (North-East), Suleiman A. Ahmad (North-West), Dr. Elizabeth Babagale and Mr. Aniyikaye Adebayo Samuel (North Central/FCT), Mr. Bashir Abiodun Bello and Ms. Ajibola Olubiyi (South-West), and Mrs. Uloma Egbuona (South-East).
The inauguration of the Committee is part of NIHOTOUR’s ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening professional standards, improving institutional governance, promoting quality assurance and enhancing the global competitiveness of Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism industry.
The initiative also aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which recognises tourism and hospitality as strategic sectors for economic diversification, job creation, investment promotion, cultural preservation and sustainable national development.
The Committee is expected to undertake extensive stakeholder consultations, benchmark international best practices and submit its report to the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIHOTOUR within three months for consideration and implementation.