We’re building a world-class tourism industry,’ NIHOTOUR boss assures stakeholders
Maureen Aguta
The Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Dr. Abisoye Fagade, has mounted a robust defence of the implementation of the NIHOTOUR Act, insisting that the institute’s reforms are designed to professionalise Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality industry rather than target operators.
Speaking during an interactive session with members of the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism in Lagos on Monday, Fagade said the ongoing reforms were laying the institutional foundation for a globally competitive tourism industry anchored on professionalism, quality service, continuous training and effective regulation.
At the centre of the reforms, he said, is the establishment of Nigeria’s first national register of tourism and hospitality professionals, which he described as a landmark achievement in sanitising the sector and distinguishing qualified practitioners from untrained operators.
“Tourism now has a register. Whether we have 76 people on it, or 25 people on it, we have a register. And every other person that is not on that list of register is a quack,” Fagade declared.
According to him, the register fulfils one of the institute’s statutory obligations under the NIHOTOUR Act by providing an official database of certified professionals while enhancing public confidence in the industry.
The NIHOTOUR boss also disclosed that the institute has introduced nationally recognised professional grades and honours for practitioners as part of efforts to elevate industry standards and strengthen its role as Nigeria’s professional regulatory authority for hospitality and tourism.
Highlighting progress in capacity development, Fagade said NIHOTOUR has tripled its annual training output over the past two years, expanding participation from about 1,000 trainees to nearly 3,000 nationwide, while increasing its operational reach from nine states to 30 states.
“Our training is going hyper-smooth. We’re able to harmonise all our training, create a new structure, and we are towards the end of creating a tourism academy,” he said.
Rather than establish government-owned training institutions across the country, Fagade explained that NIHOTOUR would focus on accrediting qualified private institutions to deliver approved hospitality and tourism programmes, while the institute concentrates on regulation, certification and quality assurance.
He added that continuous professional development would become a defining feature of the industry, with employers expected to ensure regular training and skills upgrading for their workforce to improve service delivery and global competitiveness.
Fagade further revealed that the institute is strengthening the regulatory framework for the hospitality industry through provisions contained in the NIHOTOUR Act, including the establishment of a tribunal for dispute resolution, safeguards for employees, oversight of expatriate appointments and the gradual introduction of operational standards for hotels and other hospitality establishments.
He said the reforms are also intended to promote professionalism in senior management appointments while creating more opportunities for qualified Nigerians to occupy leadership positions within the industry.
Responding to concerns expressed by some industry stakeholders over the implementation of the Act, Fagade maintained that NIHOTOUR remains open to dialogue and constructive engagement.
“I’m always willing to engage. I’m always willing to have a conversation. I’m a good listener. And all I just need from you is a superior argument. And I’ll go with you,” he said.
He disclosed that the institute recently inaugurated a committee to develop a national framework for the recognition, collaboration and governance of professional bodies within the tourism, hospitality and travel sectors, stressing that the committee’s assignment is advisory and intended to build consensus across the industry.
While acknowledging that some stakeholders have called for amendments to aspects of the NIHOTOUR Act, Fagade said such changes should be pursued through the legislative process, noting that the institute remains legally bound to implement the existing law until any amendment is enacted.
He reiterated his vision of building a tourism industry driven by professionalism, skilled manpower, environmental sustainability and internationally accepted standards, stressing that stronger institutions and closer collaboration between government and the private sector would enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness as a global tourism destination.
Fagade therefore called on tourism practitioners, investors, professional associations and other stakeholders to embrace dialogue and work together in advancing the long-term development of the sector, insisting that compliance with established standards and sustained collaboration would ultimately benefit businesses, workers and visitors alike.