By Seun Ibiyemi
President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment to developing Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality industry, with the Federal Government expected to sustain reforms aimed at boosting investment, creating jobs and diversifying the economy.
Tinubu gave the assurance during a meeting with the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Aare Abisoye Fagade, who briefed him on ongoing reforms in the tourism, hospitality and travel sectors.
The engagement focused on strengthening professional standards, developing industry skills and implementing the NIHOTOUR Act 2022 to improve service quality, accountability and competitiveness.
During the meeting, Fagade presented Tinubu with the Grand Fellow of National Hospitality and Tourism (GFNHT), described by NIHOTOUR as the highest singular honour in Nigeria’s tourism sector.
The President’s pledge of continued support underscores the administration’s stated commitment to promoting tourism as a contributor to economic diversification, employment generation, investment and enterprise development.
Speaking on the significance of the engagement, Fagade said Nigeria needed to view tourism beyond leisure and recreation, stressing that the sector could generate substantial economic opportunities and contribute to national prosperity.
He explained that NIHOTOUR’s reforms were designed to improve professional competence, raise service delivery standards and establish a credible regulatory environment capable of attracting investment and supporting business growth.
“Our responsibility is to build the professional and institutional foundations that will enable Nigeria’s tourism potential to translate into jobs, investment and sustainable economic growth. The President’s continued support is important to advancing these reforms and positioning the sector for greater national impact,” Fagade said.
The NIHOTOUR chief’s briefing comes amid efforts to strengthen the institutional and professional framework governing Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism industry.
The implementation of the NIHOTOUR Act 2022 is central to the institute’s efforts to improve professional standards, promote accountability and strengthen the capacity of workers and businesses across the sector.
Improved training and professional certification could help hospitality operators meet higher service expectations, enhance visitor experiences and improve Nigeria’s competitiveness as a tourism destination.
The reforms also seek to establish a more structured operating environment for tourism and hospitality businesses, potentially supporting investment in hotels, travel services, tour operations and other tourism-related enterprises.
For an industry with links to transportation, agriculture, entertainment, culture and small businesses, improved standards could create opportunities across several segments of the economy.
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The engagement also aligns with the economic diversification objectives of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly efforts to expand productive non-oil sectors and generate employment.
Tourism can support economic growth through spending on accommodation, transportation, food, cultural attractions and recreational activities. It can also provide opportunities for small businesses, artisans, tour operators and hospitality professionals.
However, translating Nigeria’s tourism potential into sustained economic gains will require coordinated investment in infrastructure, security, workforce development, destination promotion and reliable services.
NIHOTOUR said it remained committed to working with government institutions and private-sector stakeholders to build a professional, competitive and internationally recognised tourism industry.
The institute maintained that sustained reforms and collaboration would be essential to ensuring that the sector delivers long-term economic value to Nigerians.
The meeting signals continued engagement between the Federal Government and NIHOTOUR on efforts to strengthen tourism and hospitality as contributors to national development.
