A routine compliance and standardization visit by the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) to the Federal Palace Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, took an unexpected turn on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, when a confrontation erupted between a hotel staff member and a law enforcement officer attached to the NIHOTOUR delegation.
According to reports, the incident escalated when a hotel employee allegedly confronted and stripped the officer of his official police uniform, leaving him exposed in only his trousers. Visibly provoked by the act, the officer retaliated by slapping the hotel staff, drawing attention from guests and other members of the inspection team.
NIHOTOUR has described the altercation as “regrettable and avoidable,” emphasizing that the misunderstanding does not reflect the tone or intent of the wider engagement, which was largely peaceful and collaborative across other hotel visits.
In a statement issued after the incident, NIHOTOUR’s Director of Inspection and Enforcement, Barrister Chike Ukuekwe, called for calm and mutual respect between industry stakeholders and government officials during such exercises.
“Our mandate is built on collaboration, not confrontation,” Ukuekwe stated. “Compliance visits are part of our effort to elevate the standards of hospitality and tourism in Nigeria. We encourage all establishments to engage professionally and avoid aggressive behavior toward officers on lawful duty.”
He commended several hospitality establishments including Eko Hotel, Sojourner Hotel, Marriott Hotel, Radisson Blu VI, Black Diamond Hotel, and Four Points by Sheraton for cooperating with the NIHOTOUR team, noting that most compliance concerns raised during the visit were amicably resolved on site with management agreeing to comply within seven days.
The Institute reassured the public and sector players of its commitment to professionalism, safety, and service excellence across Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism industry. It also noted that it would be reviewing its internal communication protocols and field procedures to prevent similar occurrences in future operations.
NIHOTOUR reiterated that its ongoing national compliance drive is not intended to disrupt business but to ensure that operators meet national and global standards of service and ethics.