In a decisive move to sanitise and professionalise Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism industry, the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) has launched a major enforcement exercise in Lagos State, targeting establishments that are yet to comply with mandatory certification and registration laws.
The operation, which commenced earlier this week, is being carried out in line with the provisions of the NIHOTOUR Establishment Act, 2022. The Act, which provides the legal backing for the institute’s regulatory mandate, specifically mandates certification and registration for all practitioners and establishments operating within the hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors across the country.
In an official statement released on Thursday and signed by the management of the institute, NIHOTOUR reaffirmed that the ongoing exercise is aimed at promoting professionalism, standardisation, and quality service delivery in one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing economic sectors. The move is said to be in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which identifies tourism and hospitality as key drivers of national development.
Director of Legal Services at NIHOTOUR, Mrs. Mariam Inuwa, explained that the institute is merely executing its statutory responsibility as enshrined in Section 5(1)(h) of the NIHOTOUR Act. This section empowers the institute to regulate the activities of professionals and businesses operating within the sector. She also cited Section 4(o) of the Act, which explicitly mandates the certification of all practitioners in order to ensure uniform standards and enhance service delivery across board.
As part of its enforcement activities, several prominent establishments in Lagos have already been visited. Among those named are Marriott Hotel in Ikeja GRA, The Sojourner, Sheraton Lagos, Radisson Blu on Victoria Island, Black Diamond Hotel, and FourPoints by Sheraton. The visits were reportedly preceded by the issuance of demand letters and formal contravention notices, notifying the affected organisations of their obligations under the law.
NIHOTOUR confirmed that while some of the establishments were found to be non-compliant at the outset, a number of them have since begun the process of aligning with the provisions of the Act. According to the institute, Marriott Hotel, The Sojourner, Radisson Blu, Black Diamond, and FourPoints by Sheraton have all commenced registration and certification procedures in response to the institute’s directives.
Speaking on the broader significance of the compliance drive, NIHOTOUR emphasised that this initiative marks a vital step in cleaning up the industry and reinforcing professionalism across the board. The institute added that its engagement with stakeholders would remain constructive, even as it pledges to enforce the law without fear or favour.
The agency reiterated its commitment to working closely with all operators within the industry, encouraging voluntary compliance while making it clear that continued violations will attract appropriate sanctions as stipulated by law.
