The federal government has reaffirmed its determination to reposition Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism industry as a globally competitive sector capable of driving economic diversification, employment generation and cultural diplomacy.
This renewed commitment was restated at the Sectoral Personnel, Practitioners, Operators and Institutions Registration, Induction, Fellowship Conferment and inauguration of the Governing Boards of the Hospitality and Tourism Sector Skills Council of Nigeria held in Abuja.
The landmark ceremony, organised by the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, attracted top government officials, regulators, tourism operators, development partners, hospitality professionals and institutional stakeholders from across the country.
Held at Merit House, Maitama, the event was widely described by participants as a defining moment in the professionalisation and institutional strengthening of Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality industry.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the induction of registered hospitality and tourism professionals as well as the conferment of fellowship honours on distinguished Nigerians who have contributed significantly to tourism development, public service and institutional advancement.
The event also featured the inauguration of the Board of Trustees and Board of Directors of the Hospitality and Tourism Sector Skills Council of Nigeria, an industry driven platform established to strengthen competency standards and workforce development within the sector.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, described the initiative as a strategic intervention aimed at deepening professionalism, accountability and global competitiveness across the tourism ecosystem.
According to the minister, Nigeria possesses enormous tourism assets, cultural diversity and creative talent capable of transforming the national economy if supported by proper regulation, institutional coordination and skilled manpower.
She noted that the NIHOTOUR Establishment Act has strengthened the institute’s mandate beyond training, positioning the agency as a major regulatory and certification authority for hospitality, tourism and travel practitioners nationwide.
Musawa further stressed that sustainable growth in the industry can only be achieved through stronger collaboration between government agencies, private investors, training institutions and development partners.
In his keynote address, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NIHOTOUR, Abisoye Fagade, described the gathering as a historic turning point in the formalisation and regulation of Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality sector.
Fagade stated that the induction of practitioners, conferment of fellowship honours and inauguration of the sector skills council collectively marked the beginning of a new era of competence, institutional governance and professional recognition within the industry.
According to him, regulation and standardisation have become economic necessities for Nigeria to compete favourably in the global tourism and hospitality market.
He explained that NIHOTOUR is being repositioned not only as a regulator but also as a strategic institutional partner focused on workforce development, competency based certification, industry collaboration and sustainable growth in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Also speaking, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe, emphasised that effective regulation remains critical to attracting investment, improving service quality and strengthening Nigeria’s international competitiveness in tourism and hospitality.
Several sister agencies and industry leaders also endorsed NIHOTOUR’s reform agenda, including the Executive Secretary of NICO, Biodun Ajiboye, Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority, Olayiwola Awakan, and Director General of the National Gallery of Art, Ahmed Bashir Sodangi, all of whom stressed the importance of culture, creativity and professional standards in driving tourism growth and economic development.