The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) has inaugurated a pioneering disciplinary tribunal aimed at promoting professionalism, ethical conduct, and licensing compliance within Nigeria’s hospitality, travel, and tourism industry.
The new body, formally known as the Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, was inaugurated on Monday, July 29, 2025, in Abuja. The tribunal will serve as an independent platform to investigate and adjudicate cases of misconduct, ethical breaches, and violations of licensing regulations among practitioners and institutions in the sector.
Justice Ishaq Bello, a respected former Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has been appointed Chairman of the tribunal. His appointment is expected to bring credibility and judicial depth to the disciplinary body.
Chairing the inauguration ceremony, Hon. Muktar Mohammed, Chairman of the House Committee on Tourism, described the move as a turning point for Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality sector.
“The hospitality industry is a vital pillar of our national economy. However, for it to thrive sustainably, compliance with professional training and licensing standards must not be optional — it must be enforced,” Hon. Mohammed said.
He stressed that the tribunal is not established to punish practitioners but to uphold transparency and reform.
“This tribunal will ensure that hoteliers, operators, and institutions meet the required benchmarks set by NIHOTOUR and the Federal Ministry of Tourism. This is not just about enforcement — it is about protecting the integrity of our industry, enhancing service delivery, and building a tourism sector we can all be proud of,” he added.
The Minister of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, who was represented by Mr. Ayodele Adebanjo, expressed strong support for the initiative. She described the tribunal as a “bold expression” of the government’s commitment to restructuring and elevating the tourism space.
Director-General of NIHOTOUR, Dr. Abisoye Fagade, noted that the tribunal forms a critical part of the Institute’s evolution from a training institution to a sector regulator.
“Our industry must operate on the foundation of competence, ethics, and standards,” Dr. Fagade said. “The tribunal gives us the authority to enforce discipline and safeguard the reputation of practitioners and the trust of the public.”
The tribunal is expected to collaborate with public and private sector stakeholders to raise standards in service delivery, institutional accountability, and regulatory compliance across the industry.
With the inauguration of this disciplinary body, NIHOTOUR takes a significant step towards institutionalizing professionalism and aligning Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism standards with global best practices.