By Seun Ibiyemi
The Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Dr. Abisoye Fagade, has defended the implementation of the NIHOTOUR Act, insisting that the reforms are designed to professionalise Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality industry and not to victimise operators.
Speaking during an interactive session with members of the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism in Lagos, Fagade said the institute was laying the foundation for a more structured, competitive and globally recognised tourism industry through improved regulation, professional certification and capacity development.
He described the establishment of Nigeria’s first national register of tourism and hospitality professionals as one of the institute’s landmark achievements since the NIHOTOUR Act came into effect.
“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 said.
According to him, the register fulfils NIHOTOUR’s statutory responsibility of identifying qualified professionals and strengthening public confidence in the industry by promoting recognised standards.
The Director-General said the institute had also introduced nationally recognised professional grades and honours aimed at elevating the status of practitioners while reinforcing NIHOTOUR’s role as the country’s professional regulatory body for the hospitality and tourism sector.
Fagade disclosed that the institute had significantly expanded its training programmes, increasing annual trainees from about 1,000 to approximately 3,000 across Nigeria, while extending its training footprint 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 institutions nationwide, he explained that NIHOTOUR would accredit qualified private training institutions to deliver approved tourism and hospitality programmes while the institute focuses on regulation, certification and quality assurance.
He added that continuous professional development would become mandatory for industry practitioners, with employers expected to invest in regular staff training to improve service delivery and professional competence.
Fagade also highlighted provisions of the NIHOTOUR Act aimed at strengthening regulation within the hospitality industry, including the establishment of a tribunal to resolve disputes, safeguards for workers, oversight of expatriate employment and the gradual introduction of operational standards for hotels and other tourism establishments.
He noted that future regulations would encourage greater professionalism in senior management appointments while creating more opportunities for qualified Nigerians to occupy leadership positions in the sector.
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Responding to criticisms surrounding the implementation of the Act, Fagade said NIHOTOUR remained open to engagement and dialogue with stakeholders, stressing that the institute had consistently encouraged consultations.
“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 revealed that NIHOTOUR recently inaugurated a committee to develop a national framework for recognising and coordinating professional bodies within the tourism, hospitality and travel sectors, adding that the committee’s assignment is advisory and intended to gather broad industry input.
The Director-General maintained that while stakeholders are free to seek amendments to the NIHOTOUR Act through the National Assembly, the institute has a legal obligation to implement the law as it currently exists.
Fagade said his vision is to build a tourism industry driven by professionalism, quality service, environmental sustainability and globally accepted standards, urging practitioners, investors and professional associations to work together to unlock the sector’s full potential.
