NIHOTOUR Chief Fagade Introduces Mandatory Licensing System as Nigeria’s Tourism Practitioners Undergo Forced Certification Drive in Abuja Reform Ceremony

Nigeria’s federal government has intensified efforts to strengthen its tourism and hospitality industry as part of a broader strategy to expand revenue generation and drive economic diversification under President Bola Tinubu’s economic agenda.

Authorities are now insisting on stricter compliance with global service standards and professional regulation across the sector.

NIHOTOUR Act Takes Centre Stage in Industry Overhaul

Speaking at the official flag-off ceremony of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) Sectoral Personnel, Practitioners, Operators and Institutions Registration, Induction, and Professional Certification in Abuja, the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa, emphasized that the NIHOTOUR Act, 2022, would serve as the legal foundation for sanitizing the industry.

She explained that the initiative is designed to ensure quality service delivery, enforce global best practices, and formally regulate practitioners in the hospitality and tourism space.

According to her, Nigeria is entering a new phase of professional accountability aimed at improving competitiveness on the global stage.

Call for Unity Across Public and Private Sectors

The minister urged stakeholders across government agencies, private operators, and professional bodies to collaborate in building a structured and internationally competitive tourism ecosystem.

She stressed that fragmented efforts would not be enough to reposition the industry.

Musawa described the sector as a critical driver of employment and economic growth, adding that all actors must operate “as one body, one entity, and one vehicle” with a shared goal of national development.

She also noted that the administration’s vision is to elevate Nigerian tourism to global standards while simultaneously bringing global standards into Nigeria’s local industry.

Crackdown on Unprofessional Practices and “Quackery”

A key focus of the reform is the elimination of unqualified practitioners and unregulated operations within the sector.

The minister warned that the government is committed to removing unprofessional practices that undermine service quality and investor confidence.

She explained that competent professionals delivering high-quality services would help build trust in Nigeria’s hospitality sector globally, while also improving the country’s image as a competitive tourism destination.

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The reforms, she added, are expected to strengthen the entire economic ecosystem tied to hospitality and tourism.

NIHOTOUR Begins Mandatory Registration and Certification Drive

Earlier in the event, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIHOTOUR, Aare Abisoye Fagade, announced the commencement of mandatory registration and professional certification for practitioners across the country.

He disclosed that the initiative would lead to the issuance of practicing licenses to the first batch of certified professionals, marking a significant milestone in the sector’s regulation.

The exercise also formally launches a national register intended to track and standardize industry practitioners.

According to NIHOTOUR, the register will help enforce compliance, uphold professional standards, and ensure accountability across all segments of the hospitality and tourism value chain.

Impact and Consequences

The introduction of mandatory certification is expected to reshape Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality industry by raising entry barriers and improving service quality.

While professionals with proper training may benefit from increased credibility and opportunities, informal operators could face exclusion or pressure to regularize their status.

Economically, the reforms are projected to enhance investor confidence and attract international partnerships by aligning the sector with global benchmarks.

In the long term, this could translate into job creation, improved service delivery, and increased tourism-related revenue for the country.

However, the transition may also create short-term disruptions as businesses adjust to new compliance requirements, licensing processes, and regulatory oversight.

What’s Next?

The next phase of the reform involves full rollout of the national practitioner database and continued issuance of professional licenses to verified operators.

NIHOTOUR is expected to expand registration exercises across Nigeria’s states to ensure nationwide compliance.

Government agencies will also begin stricter enforcement of the NIHOTOUR Act, 2022, with monitoring mechanisms to identify unlicensed operators and enforce penalties where necessary.

Stakeholders are expected to participate in continuous training and certification programs to remain compliant.

Further collaboration between federal agencies, private sector players, and training institutions is anticipated as Nigeria moves toward a fully regulated hospitality and tourism industry.

Summary

The federal government has launched a major regulatory reform in Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality sector through NIHOTOUR, emphasizing professional certification, global standards, and stricter compliance.

The initiative is part of efforts to diversify the economy, boost revenue generation, and improve service quality across the industry.

Bulleted Takeaways

• Federal government pushes tourism sector reform under President Tinubu’s economic diversification agenda
• NIHOTOUR Act, 2022, now serves as legal framework for industry regulation and professional standards
• Mandatory registration and certification of practitioners officially launched in Abuja
• First batch of practitioners to receive professional practicing licenses
• Government targets elimination of unqualified and unregulated operators in the sector
• Public and private stakeholders urged to collaborate for global competitiveness
• Reform expected to improve investor confidence, job creation, and tourism revenue
• Nationwide rollout and enforcement of certification system expected in the next phase