The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, has directed the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) to immediately suspend all enforcement actions nationwide, following controversial incidents in Lagos state.
NIHOTOUR is currently facing controversy in Lagos regarding its enforcement of the NIHOTOUR Establishment Act of 2022, specifically concerning the registration and certification of hotels and their operators.
The crux of the issue lies in whether NIHOTOUR is overstepping its bounds and infringing on the powers of state governments and established hotel associations.
NIHOTOUR maintains that its actions are within the bounds of its enabling Act, which was passed in 2022 after extensive stakeholder engagement.
They asserted that they have the legal authority to oversee various aspects of the hospitality and tourism industry, including certification and registration of personnel, assessment and grading of practitioners, and enforcement of national professional standards.
NIHOTOUR officials have emphasized that their actions are aimed at bolstering quality assurance and professionalizing the industry.
They have also cited instances where hotels have begun the process of registration and certification following their interventions, demonstrating a positive response to their regulatory efforts.
However, the Association of Tourism and Hospitality Consultants in Nigeria (ATHCON) has condemned NIHOTOUR’s approach, criticizing the Director General’s methods and alleging abuse of power.
The Nigerian Hotel and Catering Institute (NHCI) has also condemned NIHOTOUR’s actions, describing them as unprofessional and illegal, particularly regarding the arrest of hotel personnel.
Furthermore, the Hotel Owners and Managers Association of Lagos (HOMAL) has challenged NIHOTOUR’s authority, claiming that some of their actions infringe on state government powers.
Concerns have also been raised about the potential negative impact on businesses, particularly smaller operators, and the possibility of selective enforcement sending the wrong signals to the international community.
Some critics have questioned the need for NIHOTOUR to demand fees for registration and certification when they are not directly involved in the training or recruitment of hotel staff, suggesting it could be a form of exploitation.
In a statement made available to Blueprint in Abuja, Saturday, signed by her Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Nneka Ikem Anibeze, PhD, the Minister gave the directive for the suspension of enforcement activities on Friday.
The decision, she said, paves the way for a more inclusive, transparent, and consultative stakeholder engagement process, which the Minister will personally lead in the coming weeks.
While reaffirming NIHOTOUR’s legal mandate to regulate standards, maintain a register of personnel, practitioners, and professionals, and ensure compliance across Nigeria’s hospitality, tourism, and travel sectors, the Minister called for calm and mutual understanding among all stakeholders.
“The industry must be driven by standards, but our approach must also reflect our shared humanity. Compliance must not come at the expense of dialogue.
“A multi-stakeholder roundtable will be convened shortly to harmonize expectations, deepen collaboration, and reposition the industry for sustainable growth in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and also his compassionate approach of tempering justice with mercy.
“The Ministry remains dedicated to strengthening dialogue and strategic partnerships with all sectoral stakeholders to build an ecosystem rooted in trust, innovation, and shared prosperity,” she said.
Minister Musawa commended the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) and other professional bodies for their steadfast commitment to advancing sectoral growth and cohesion, and reaffirmed her commitment to supporting NIHOTOUR in its ongoing transformation into a dynamic, responsible, and industry-aligned regulatory institution working collaboratively for national development.