The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hanatu Musawa, has reaffirmed Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) fulfils its responsibilities with empathy, fairness and integrity.
The Minister spoke at the ongoing retreat of the ministry in Abuja, where she explained that although NIHOTOUR is legally empowered to regulate, certify and enforce standards across Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality industry, its work will always remain people-centred and sensitive to the realities of stakeholders.
“Tourism is about people. Our work must reflect compassion and understanding. At the same time, empathy must never be mistaken for weakness. The law must be respected. Standards will be upheld firmly but always with fairness and a deep sense of responsibility to the industry and to our nation,” the Minister said.
Adding his voice, the Director General of NIHOTOUR, Aare Abisoye Fagade, assured participants that the Institute would continue to uphold standards while also serving as a genuine partner to those it regulates.
“Our duty is to uphold the law, but also to walk with people on their journey of growth. Every student, every professional, every operator and every entrepreneur in this industry should feel that NIHOTOUR is not just a regulator but a partner in their success. We will enforce standards, yes, but we will do so with empathy so that nobody is left behind as we raise the bar for Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism,” Fagade said.
The remarks were made during discussions on strengthening institutional performance, harmonising sectoral policies and accelerating the professionalisation of Nigeria’s tourism workforce through NIHOTOUR’s Mission 100 agenda.
The Minister encouraged stakeholders, from hospitality employers to students, small businesses and international partners, to see NIHOTOUR as a trusted ally in raising service standards, creating jobs and positioning Nigeria as a leading tourism destination in Africa.
Established in 1987, NIHOTOUR is Nigeria’s premier institution for capacity development in hospitality, travel and tourism. It provides training, certification and regulatory oversight to raise professional standards and position Nigeria as a leading destination for tourism and investment.
