The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) hosted the leadership and members of the Hotel Owners Forum Abuja (HOFA) at its headquarters in Abuja, in a meeting aimed at strengthening collaboration, clarifying regulatory responsibilities, and charting a path for joint growth in Nigeria’s hospitality sector.

The delegation, led by HOFA President Mr. Emeka Ezekwesili, was received by the Director-General of NIHOTOUR, Aare Dr. Abisoye Fagade alongside senior management of the Institute.

At the meeting, NIHOTOUR painstakingly explained the provisions of the NIHOTOUR Establishment Act 2022 and the 2025 Regulations, underscoring its role as Nigeria’s apex training, certification, and regulatory body for hospitality and tourism professionals. Dr. Fagade clarified that NIHOTOUR’s mandate does not involve registering hotels or physical establishments, which remains within the purview of other agencies.

Rather, NIHOTOUR registers and certifies the alter egos of the industry—the operators, personnel, and professionals whose skills and competencies directly shape service quality, safety standards, and customer experience in Nigeria’s hospitality ecosystem.

“Our responsibility is to professionalize the sector by ensuring that those who run hotels, manage guest relations, cook in kitchens, or serve as tour operators are adequately trained, certified, and globally competitive,” Dr. Fagade stated.

“This is about people, not just places. Hotels do not run themselves—people do. And it is these people we are committed to up skilling, accrediting, and empowering in line with the law.”

HOFA President, Mr. Emeka Ezekwesili, said the visit to NIHOTOUR was part of his association’s efforts to engage the government agencies in charge tourism in continuous dialogue for better understanding.

The interactive session also focused on identifying areas of support that NIHOTOUR can extend to HOFA members in Abuja, especially in capacity building, staff certification, and professional development.

Both parties agreed to establish a Joint Implementation Committee to drive the resolutions reached at the meeting and ensure effective follow-up actions.

The visit underscores NIHOTOUR’s commitment to engaging industry stakeholders, fostering compliance, and advancing its vision of building a world-class hospitality and tourism workforce for Nigeria.