The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) has inaugurated a national committee to develop a framework for the recognition and governance of professional bodies in Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism industry.

The institute said this was a part of efforts to strengthen professionalism, institutional credibility and global competitiveness in the sector.

 

A statement yesterday by the Director-General of the institute, Abisoye Fagade, said the committee known as the National Committee on Industry Professional Bodies Recognition and Governance (NCIPBRG) was inaugurated on Monday at the institute’s headquarters in Abuja.

 

The statement hinted that the committee is chaired by Prof. Wasiu Babalola and has been given three months to submit recommendations on standards for recognising professional bodies, governance structures, ethical practices and collaboration within the hospitality, tourism, travel and allied industries.

 

Fagade said the initiative was a strategic intervention aimed at promoting professionalism, accountability and institutional harmony among the numerous professional associations operating in the sector.

 

According to him, the absence of a coherent governance framework had made it necessary to establish clear standards that would enhance public confidence and encourage greater collaboration among industry stakeholders.

 

He said: “The future of every profession depends not only on the competence of its practitioners but also on the strength of the institutions that represent them.

 

“This committee has been entrusted with the responsibility of laying the foundation for a transparent, credible and nationally accepted framework that will guide the recognition and governance of professional bodies within our industry.”

 

Fagade explained further that the assignment was in line with the provisions of the NIHOTOUR Establishment Act, 2022, which empowers the institute to regulate standards, promote professional development and strengthen institutional capacity within Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism ecosystem.

 

He stressed that the exercise was not intended to restrict the activities of legitimate professional associations, but to establish objective standards that would encourage excellence, transparency and accountability.

 

He urged members of the committee to approach the assignment with fairness, inclusiveness and patriotism.

 

Responding on behalf of the committee, its Chairman, Babalola, lauded the management of NIHOTOUR for the confidence reposed in the members and pledged to deliver recommendations that would advance the interests of the industry.

 

He described the assignment as a national responsibility requiring broad stakeholder engagement and adherence to international best practices.

 

The committee comprises professionals drawn from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, including Dr Muhammad Yusuf, Suleiman Ahmad, Dr Elizabeth Babagale, Aniyikaye Samuel, Bashir Bello, Ajibola Olubiyi and Uloma Egbuona.