NIHOTOUR moves to enhance compliance in Lagos hospitality, tourism sectors
The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) has launched a sweeping compliance exercise across Lagos State aimed at enforcing professional standards within Nigeria’s hospitality, travel, and tourism industries.
The exercise targets hotels, restaurants, and related establishments, ensuring that personnel and operators are properly certified and registered in accordance with the NIHOTOUR Establishment Act of 2022.
According to the Director of Legal Services at NIHOTOUR, Mrs. Mariam Inuwa, Esq., the move is in line with the Institute’s legal mandate.
She cited Section 5(1)(h) of the Act, which empowers NIHOTOUR to regulate industry professionals, and Section 4(o), which mandates certification of all practitioners to uphold uniform standards, professionalism, and quality service delivery.
As part of the initiative, NIHOTOUR officials visited prominent hospitality establishments including Marriott Hotel Ikeja GRA, The Sojourner, Sheraton Lagos, Radisson Blu Victoria Island, Black Diamond Hotel, and FourPoints by Sheraton. These visits followed the earlier issuance of letters of demand and contravention notices to non-compliant organizations.
NIHOTOUR confirmed that several of these institutions—Marriott Hotel, The Sojourner, Radisson Blu, Black Diamond, and FourPoints by Sheraton—have since commenced the registration and certification process to align with regulatory requirements.
The Institute stated that this compliance drive is part of broader efforts to reposition the hospitality and tourism sectors as central to national economic development under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
NIHOTOUR emphasized its commitment to engaging stakeholders constructively while ensuring strict compliance with statutory provisions.
