President Bola Tinubu has pledged continued support for the development of Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality industry following a meeting with the Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Aare Abisoye Fagade.
Fagade briefed the President on ongoing reforms in the tourism, hospitality and travel sectors, particularly efforts to strengthen professional standards, develop skills and implement the NIHOTOUR Act 2022.
The reforms are aimed at improving service delivery, accountability and the competitiveness of the industry.
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During the engagement, Fagade presented Tinubu with the Grand Fellow of National Hospitality and Tourism Award (GFNHT), described as the highest honour in Nigeria’s tourism sector.
The President’s pledge highlights the role of tourism in economic diversification, job creation, investment and enterprise development.
Speaking on the significance of the meeting, Fagade said tourism should be seen not only as a leisure activity but also as an economic sector capable of creating jobs and contributing to national prosperity.
He said NIHOTOUR’s reforms were designed to strengthen professional competence, improve industry standards and establish a credible regulatory environment to support business growth and investment.
“Our responsibility is to build the professional and institutional foundations that will enable Nigeria’s tourism potential to translate into jobs, investment and sustainable economic growth. The President’s continued support is important to advancing these reforms and positioning the sector for greater national impact,” Fagade said.
The engagement is expected to support economic diversification, create jobs and promote productive non-oil sectors, including tourism and hospitality.
NIHOTOUR reaffirmed its commitment to working with government and private-sector stakeholders to build a more professional, competitive and globally recognised tourism industry that delivers lasting value to Nigerians.
