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The Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Dr. Abisoye Fagade, has reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to implementing the NIHOTOUR Act, saying the 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, Fagade said the reforms are laying the foundation for a globally competitive industry anchored on professional standards, quality training and effective regulation.
He described the establishment of Nigeria’s first national register of tourism and hospitality professionals as a landmark achievement under the Act, saying it provides a credible framework for recognising qualified practitioners and eliminating quackery.
“Tourism now has a register. Whether we have 76 people on it or 25 people on it, we have a register. Every other person not on that register is a quack,” he said.
Fagade also announced the introduction of nationally recognised professional grades and honours to elevate practitioners while positioning NIHOTOUR as the country’s statutory regulatory body for hospitality and tourism.
He disclosed that the institute has tripled annual training participation from about 1,000 to 3,000 people and expanded its programmes from nine states to 30 states within two years.
According to him, NIHOTOUR is finalising plans for a Tourism Academy through an accreditation model that will empower qualified private institutions to deliver approved training while the institute focuses on regulation, certification and quality assurance.
He added that continuous professional development would become a core industry requirement to improve workforce competence and service delivery.
Fagade said the Act also strengthens regulation through provisions for dispute resolution, employee protection, oversight of expatriate appointments and the gradual introduction of standards for hotel management and operations.
He noted that the framework would encourage merit-based leadership in the hospitality industry while creating greater opportunities for qualified Nigerians to occupy senior management positions.
Addressing concerns over implementation of the Act, Fagade said NIHOTOUR remains open to dialogue with all stakeholders.
“I’m always willing to engage. I’m always willing to have a conversation. I’m a good listener. All I need 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 across the tourism, hospitality and travel sectors, stressing that the committee’s recommendations would be based on broad stakeholder consultations.
While acknowledging that stakeholders have the constitutional right to seek amendments to the NIHOTOUR Act through the National Assembly, he emphasised that the institute is legally bound to implement the existing law until any amendments are enacted.
Fagade urged tourism practitioners, investors and professional associations to work collaboratively to build a more competitive industry driven by professionalism, quality service and globally recognised standards, expressing confidence that stronger institutions and sustained collaboration would position Nigeria as a leading tourism destination in Africa.
