The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) and the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) have moved to ease tensions between the two bodies, reaffirming their commitment to collaboration, dialogue and the professional development of Nigeria’s hospitality, tourism and travel industry.
The resolution followed a strategic meeting between the leadership of both organisations in Abuja, where they reviewed issues surrounding the implementation of the NIHOTOUR Act 2022 and broader concerns about the professionalisation and regulation of the tourism and hospitality sector.
At the end of the engagement, NIHOTOUR and FTAN agreed that outstanding areas of disagreement should be addressed through sustained dialogue, mutual respect, evidence-based engagement and constructive collaboration rather than confrontation.
A major outcome of the meeting was an agreement to pursue an amicable resolution of all pending litigations connected with the implementation of the NIHOTOUR Act 2022. The two organisations said such matters would be handled through dialogue and due process in the wider interest of unity and stability within Nigeria’s tourism industry.
NIHOTOUR reaffirmed that its statutory responsibilities are geared towards raising professional standards, improving competence and accountability, and supporting the orderly growth and development of Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism sector.
The Institute also acknowledged the strategic role of FTAN as the umbrella organisation representing the organised private sector in tourism and hospitality, noting that the association remains an important stakeholder in efforts to build a stronger and more competitive tourism economy.
For its part, FTAN reaffirmed its willingness to maintain constructive engagement with NIHOTOUR while advancing the interests of tourism businesses, professionals and practitioners across the country.
The two organisations stressed that Nigeria’s tourism industry possesses significant potential to drive job creation, skills development, private-sector investment, economic diversification, cultural preservation and broader national development.
They noted, however, that unlocking this potential would require stronger cooperation between government institutions and private-sector stakeholders, with both sides working as partners around a common vision for sustainable tourism development.
In a joint statement signed by NIHOTOUR Director-General, Dr. Abisoye Fagade, and FTAN President, Dr. Aliyu Badaki, following Wednesday’s meeting in Abuja, the organisations outlined a number of areas in which they would deepen cooperation.
One of the key commitments is to strengthen professionalism and standards across Nigeria’s hospitality, tourism and travel sectors. Both bodies agreed that improved professional capacity and clearer standards are essential to creating a globally competitive tourism industry.
They also agreed to establish a joint committee comprising representatives of NIHOTOUR and FTAN. The committee will examine the issues raised by stakeholders, consider areas requiring clarification in the NIHOTOUR Act 2022, develop practical recommendations and propose a mutually agreed pathway for resolving outstanding concerns.
According to the agreement, the joint committee will provide a structured platform for continuous consultation and engagement between NIHOTOUR and the organised tourism industry, helping to ensure that future policy and regulatory discussions are based on dialogue and stakeholder participation.
NIHOTOUR and FTAN further committed to addressing areas of concern through continuous engagement, while supporting skills development, employment generation and expanded opportunities for Nigerian tourism and hospitality professionals.
The organisations also expressed their shared commitment to creating a more predictable and investment-friendly environment for businesses operating within Nigeria’s tourism, hospitality and travel sectors.
The latest agreement is expected to help reduce tensions that have emerged around the interpretation and implementation of the NIHOTOUR Act 2022, while opening the door for closer cooperation between the government institution and the private-sector umbrella body.
NIHOTOUR and FTAN described the engagement as an important step towards a new era of partnership and shared responsibility, stressing that the future of Nigeria’s tourism industry is greater than the interests of any single institution or association.
They pledged to continue engaging, collaborating and working together to build a stronger, more professional, investment-friendly and sustainable tourism industry capable of contributing significantly to Nigeria’s economic growth and national development.