Hospitality stakeholders worry over NIHOUR’s registration impasse

For months now, some stakeholders in the Nigerian tourism sector, especially hoteliers, have been in loggerheads with the National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) over the implementation of the NIHOTOUR Act 2022 by the institute.

While the stakeholders, represented by the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), the umbrella body of private sector tourism sector, are calling for wider consultation and need to address of grey areas before the implementation, the Abisoye Fagade-led institute is insisting on the implementation, citing need for standardization, data and professionalism.

In line with the development and in response to the failure of NIHOTOUR in addressing its concerns, FTAN has reiterated its position on the NIHOTOUR Act 2022, insisting on a win-win deal.

According to Aliyu Ajayi Badaki, president, FTAN, the federation is distancing itself from the induction ceremony of some people as members and fellows performed last week in Abuja by the management of NIHOTOUR.

While restating its position on the NIHOTOUR Act 2022, FTAN pointed out that the grey areas outlined by the federation have not been addressed and cleared by the management of the institute.

Speaking on the recent development, Badaki lauded FTAN’s member-associations, other discerning and well-meaning stakeholders across the tourism value chain, for standing with the federation and heeding its calls to abstain from any registration exercise being conducted by NIHOTOUR in whatever disguise.

The clarification, according to Badaki, became necessary, following the series of inquiries it has received from members, concerned interest groups and persons within the sector over last week’s induction ceremony by NIHOTOUR, which a section of the Nigerian media and stakeholders believed was based on the purported registration exercise of operators.

‘‘For the avoidance of doubt, let it be known and clear that FTAN was not part of the induction ceremony of operators as members and fellows performed last week in Abuja by NIHOTOUR.

‘‘The position of the federation on the NIHOTOUR Act 2022 is very clear and with no ambiguity whatsoever. The law has appropriated a lot of responsibilities besides the mandatory functions of training and development of manpower for the tourism sector, on NIHOTOUR, thereby infringing on other areas and functions that are not within the purview of NIHOTOUR as a training institute.

‘‘We have pointed out these grey areas that need to be deliberated on, with acceptable pathways agreed on among the stakeholders, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy and NIHOTOUR, including NTDA, before the implementation of the Act,’’ Badaki said.

He further disclosed that Hannatu Musa Musawa, minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, based on the submission of FTAN, and the disruptions caused in the industry by the unorthodox tactics adopted by NIHOTOUR’s on three different occasions directed the director general to put on hold the implementation of the Act, until a stakeholder forum is conveyed for the purpose of deliberating on the Act and fashioning out acceptable mode of implementation.

Badaki expressed disappointment over the posturing of the NIHOTOUR’s director general in trying to circumvent due process and adherence to the minister’s directive, by resorting to different means instead; including the purported induction and registration exercise that was conducted last week, to enforce an ACT that goes against the development of the industry and its operators.

FTAN further condemned the recent unceremonious reconstitution of the Hospitality Sector Skill Council membership and its Board of Trustees by Fagade, noting that it was not properly constituted, with the right professionals and constituencies represented but rather by friends and cronies of the director general, who will further do his biddings of trying to undermine FTAN, cause disaffections and disruptions within the industry.

Badaki also clarified that FTAN is not a trade union but a professional body that represents the interests of professionals and businesses, including investors, across the travel, tourism and hospitality trade, in the country.

He commended the federation member-associations for abstaining from the event, and standing behind in the quest to ensure that the proper thing is done. He assured them of the commitment of the Executive Council and Board of Trustees, in pursuing through legal and legitimate means, the position of the federation on the matter.

He also commended the minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, and the permanent secretary of the ministry, for showing understanding over the issues at stake and making several efforts at resolving them and insistence on private-public partnership.