The Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Abisoye Fagade, has described the lifting of suspension on regulatory activities within Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism sector by the Federal Government as a significant step towards revitalising the industry and advancing inclusive sector development.

Fagade made the statement while speaking at the national hospitality and tourism stakeholders’ forum, organised by the Nigeria Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) in Abuja with the theme: ‘Shaping the Future of Nigerian Tourism Together.’
A statement by NIHOTOUR yesterday, said that the forum brought together key stakeholders across the public and private sectors to deliberate on strategies for strengthening collaboration, improving standards, and driving sustainable progress within the industry.

He declared that the directive would reposition tourism as a key driver of national economy.
He added that the directive of the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, alongside the introduction of a concessionary framework offering discounts and flexible onboarding pathways, reflected a deliberate and strategic effort to deepen industry participation and enhance compliance.

Fagade further explained that the ministry’s intervention aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which he said prioritises economic diversification, job creation and the development of high-impact sectors such as tourism.
He said: “This is not merely a regulatory adjustment. It is a forward-thinking strategy to reposition tourism as a key driver of national development.

“It demonstrates a strong commitment to inclusivity, sustainability, and global competitiveness.”
Fagade also highlighted NIHOTOUR’s dual mandate as both a regulatory and developmental institution, emphasising its focus on building a skilled, certified, and globally competitive workforce to support the sector.

He expressed that the institute was currently deploying the National Registration Portal (NRP), a transformative digital platform designed to formalise the industry through the registration, certification and verification of tourism practitioners and institutions nationwide.
Fagade further acknowledged the leadership of the Director-General of NTDA for convening the timely stakeholders’ forum, noting that such engagements are essential for fostering alignment and collective action across the sector.

The NIHOTOUR DG observed that a significant portion of Nigeria’s tourism workforce currently operates outside formal regulatory structures, a challenge he regretted continued to impact service delivery and international competitiveness.
He therefore called on key stakeholders, including private sector operators, industry associations and State governments, to take full advantage of the Federal Government’s concessionary framework and actively participate in the ongoing reform process.

He also reaffirmed NIHOTOUR’s commitment to enabling progress and stressed that regulation should be seen as a tool for advancement, rather than a limitation.
He called for sustained collaboration among stakeholders as a foundation for building a resilient, inclusive and globally competitive tourism sector that reflects Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and vast economic potential.