The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) received a formal courtesy visit from the leadership of the NIHOTOUR Alumni Association, led by its president, Mr. Akeem Jonathan, to congratulate the newly appointed Director-General, Aare (Dr) Abisoye Fagade (FIMC), who assumed office in November 2024.

The visit, held at the NIHOTOUR head office located at 10 Amisi Musa Street, Jabi Lake Resort, Abuja, marked a significant moment of dialogue and vision sharing for the future of the hospitality and tourism industry in Nigeria. During the meeting, Dr. Fagade unveiled his forward-thinking vision to elevate the standards of the industry through a structured registration and licensing framework for all personnel operating within the sector.

One of the most compelling aspects of Dr. Fagade’s agenda is his commitment to transforming the NIHOTOUR certification into a formal professional license to practice, akin to other regulated professions in the country. He emphasized that the proposed process would begin with formal registration, followed by training, certification, and ultimately, professional licensing.

According to the DG, licensed hospitality professionals will be issued identifiable practice numbers. This system would enable greater accountability, as practitioners who fall short of expected standards could be subjected to disciplinary procedures, including possible recall. Such mechanisms, he explained, are vital for maintaining service excellence and consumer trust in the industry.

“This initiative aims to bring about the standardization of the hospitality profession, promote industry prestige, and ensure better remuneration and treatment for practitioners,” Dr. Fagade stated. “It is a vision rooted in professionalism, structure, and national development.”

Speaking during the visit, NIHOTOUR Alumna Lilian Okogi lauded the DG’s bold initiative, describing it as a “solid foundation for sustainable reform.” She also expressed hopes that Dr. Fagade will overcome any challenges and complete this transformative agenda before the end of his tenure.

The alumni association pledged its full support toward actualizing this vision, which promises to position Nigeria’s hospitality sector for global competitiveness and excellence.