The Minister of Tourism Mrs. Lola Ade-John has officially appointed Dr. Egga Maga as the acting Director General of the National institute for hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), this is coming almost three weeks after the end of the tenure of Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa. Kangiwa’s tenure elapsed on August 31, 2024.

According to a release from NIHOTOUR which was communicated to staff today, September 17,  Maga’s resumption date as acting director general of the institute was backdated to  September 2, 2024. However, some of the staff spoken said they had been in the dark since the beginning of the month of September since there was no official communication on the end of the tenure of the former director general and the appointment of Maga in acting capacity.

The circular states: “this is to inform NIHOTOUR community of the expiration of the first four years tenure of and the exit of the former Director General of the institute on 31^st August, 2024.

“In furtherance of the above, while the institute await the re-appointment of Nura Kangiwa for a second tenure or the appointment of a new substantive DG/CEO, and by virtue of the provisions of the Public Service Rules of the Federal Republic (2021 edition) Red. No. 020105and SGF Circular Ref. No. 50/S.11/C.2?268 of 04/12/2017 relating to the above subject matter, the most senior and most suitable director in the institute’s team of management staff, is hereby conferred with the position of the Director overseeing the office of the Director General (DOODG) of the institute pending the appointment of a substantive Director General.

“In the light of the above, the Honourable Minister has approved the appointment of the Director of the Directorate of Special Duties of the institute Philip Egga Maga to oversee the office of the Direcotr general. “

Although Maga has officially been named the acting director General, many said he was selected and ought not to have been as he was not the most senior among the directors.