NOA backs tourism reforms, seeks value-based collaboration
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has pledged its support for ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality sector, emphasizing the critical role of national values, regulation, and institutional collaboration in achieving sustainable growth.
The commitment was made by the Director General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, during a courtesy visit by Dr Abisoye Fadage, Director General and Chief Executive of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
Issa-Onilu commended NIHOTOUR’s reform initiatives, describing tourism as a vital platform for projecting Nigeria’s image globally. He proposed the formation of a joint project team between both agencies to promote structured and strategic collaboration in promoting national identity and professionalism in the sector.
In a notable policy recommendation, the NOA DG advocated for the inclusion of Citizenship Studies in hospitality training programmes. He noted that integrating national values into professional development would help create a more patriotic and service-oriented workforce.
Responding, Dr Fadage welcomed the proposal, stating that value-based education is essential for building a tourism sector that not only serves economic interests but also reflects Nigeria’s cultural heritage and moral fabric.
He further outlined NIHOTOUR’s decentralized training model, designed to attract local investment into the establishment of standard hospitality training institutions. According to him, the curriculum of these institutions will be tailored to reflect national identity and values, ensuring consistency across the country.
Dr Fadage expressed optimism about the potential of tourism as a driver of economic growth. He stated that, with the right regulatory and educational reforms in place, the tourism and hospitality sector could contribute as much as 10% to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) within the next three years.
Both agencies agreed to pursue further engagements aimed at formalizing their partnership, with a focus on capacity building, public sensitization, and promoting a positive national image through the tourism industry.
