In a landmark development set to reshape Nigeria’s hospitality, travel, and tourism ecosystem, the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) has officially inaugurated the Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal.
In line with its NIHHOTOUR’s enabling Act, the pioneering body is being established to enforce ethical standards, licensing compliance, and professionalism across the sector.
The tribunal is chaired by the respected former Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Ishaq Bello, whose extensive experience in legal reform and judicial leadership brings credibility and strength to the initiative.
Chairing the inauguration event in Tuesday was Hon. Muktar Mohammed, Chairman of the House Committee on Tourism, who delivered a rousing keynote address applauding NIHOTOUR’s forward-thinking initiative.
L-R: Former Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Mr. Steve Ayorinde; President, National Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), Hajia Bolaji Mustapha; Mr. Ayodele Adebanjo, Director, Tourism Support Service, Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism & Creative Economy; Former Chief Justice of the FCT, Justice (Dr) Ishaq Bello (rtd); Hon. Muktar Mohammed, Chairmsn House Committee on Tourism; Aare Abisoye Fagade, Director General, National Institute for Hospitality & Tourism (NIHOTOUR) and Mr. John Enemona, Representative of Chartered Institute of Hospitality, Tourism & Management of America, Abuja… at the inauguration ceremony.
He described the tribunal a “turning point in our collective resolve to promote quality, safety, and global best practices in the sector.
“The hospitality industry is a vital pillar of our national economy. However, for it to thrive sustainably, compliance with professional training and licensing standards must not be optional — it must be enforced,” Hon. Mohammed stated.
He went on to emphasize that the tribunal is not merely punitive but reformative in spirit: “It will serve as a platform for transparency, fairness, and reform. It will ensure that hoteliers, operators, and institutions meet the required benchmarks set by NIHOTOUR and the Federal Ministry of Tourism. This is not just about enforcement — it is about protecting the integrity of our industry, enhancing service delivery, and building a tourism sector we can all be proud of.”
L-R: Aare Abisoye Fagade, Director General, National Institute for Hospitality & Tourism (NIHOTOUR); Hajia Bolaji Mustapha, President National Association of Tour Operators (NATOP); Mr. John Enemona, Representative of Chartered Institute of Hospitality, Tourism & Management of America, Abuja; Mr. Steve Ayorinde, Former Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism and Rtd Justice (Dr) Ishaq Bello, for Chief Justice of FCT being sworn in on Tuesday.
The Honourable Minister of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, was represented by the Director of Tourism Services, Mr. Ayodele Adebanjo, who delivered the Minister’s message of support.
In her remarks, the Minister praised the establishment of the tribunal as a bold and necessary move.
“The Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Tribunal is a bold expression of this administration’s resolve to clean up and elevate the tourism space,” she stated through her representative. “We stand firmly behind NIHOTOUR and its leadership in this visionary step.”
Director-General of NIHOTOUR, Dr. Abisoye Fagade, noted that the tribunal is central to the Institute’s broader transformation from a training institution into a regulatory authority.
L-R: Former Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Mr. Steve Ayorinde; President, National Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), Hajia Bolaji Mustapha; Former Chief Justice of the FCT, Justice (Dr) Ishaq Bello (rtd); Aare Abisoye Fagade, Director General, National Institute for Hospitality & Tourism (NIHOTOUR) and Mr. John Enemona, Representative of Chartered Institute of Hospitality, Tourism & Management of America, Abuja… att their inauguration as members and Chairman of the Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal (HTTPDT) at NIHOTOUR’s head office in Abuja on Tuesday.
“Our industry must operate on the foundation of competence, ethics, and standards,” Dr. Fagade remarked. “The tribunal gives us the authority to enforce discipline and safeguard the reputation of practitioners and the trust of the public.”
The tribunal is empowered to investigate and adjudicate cases involving professional misconduct, licensing violations, and ethical breaches by practitioners and institutions within the hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors. It is designed to work collaboratively with stakeholders across public and private spheres to raise the bar for service delivery and sector integrity.
With this inauguration, Nigeria takes a bold step toward institutionalizing accountability and professionalism — positioning the country as a destination ready to meet global expectations.
Other members of the Tribunal are a former Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism Arts & Culture, Mr. Steve Ayorinde; President, National Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), Hajia Bolaji Mustapha; and Mr. John Enemona, Representative of the Chartered Institute of Hospitality, Tourism & Management of America, Abuja.
