The Federal Government has directed the immediate and comprehensive enforcement of the NIHOTOUR Act 2022 and the NIHOTOUR Regulations 2025 in a major step aimed at strengthening oversight, improving standards and repositioning Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism industry for global competitiveness.
The directive was conveyed in a letter dated February 26, 2028, issued by the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy and signed by the Minister, Hannatu Musa Musawa. The Ministry instructed the Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Abisoye Fagade, to begin immediate implementation of the law in accordance with the powers granted to the Institute under its Establishment Act and accompanying regulations.
The move is widely viewed by industry stakeholders as a significant regulatory shift for a sector that has long grappled with weak compliance, inconsistent standards and fragmented professional supervision.
In the communication, the Minister emphasised that effective regulation of personnel and operators across the hospitality, travel and tourism value chain is critical to unlocking the sector’s economic potential. She noted that enforcing the Act would enhance professionalism, improve service delivery, strengthen consumer protection and promote sustainable industry growth.
According to the Ministry, the regulatory framework sets minimum standards for skills, ethics, safety and operational procedures. Strict compliance, it said, would boost public confidence, enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness and align the industry with national and international best practices.
Stakeholders say full implementation of the Act and Regulations could represent a turning point for the tourism ecosystem, covering hotels, tour operators, travel agencies, event planners, catering services and other related businesses.
The Ministry described the enforcement as a strategic milestone designed to reinforce institutional governance within the sector.
It is expected to standardise training and certification systems, ensure adherence to operational benchmarks and strengthen investor confidence in Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism landscape.
Under the directive, NIHOTOUR is mandated to notify all departments, operators, practitioners and relevant stakeholders within its regulatory scope to ensure immediate and full compliance.
Industry analysts note that beyond regulatory enforcement, the broader objective is to formalise the sector and create a structured professional environment capable of attracting both domestic and foreign investment. In recent years, calls for stricter oversight have intensified amid concerns over unqualified operators, poor service standards and Nigeria’s underperformance in the global tourism market.
The Federal Government maintained that a properly regulated tourism ecosystem would not only improve service quality but also stimulate job creation, skills development and revenue generation.
With the enforcement order now in effect, focus shifts to NIHOTOUR’s implementation strategy and the response of operators nationwide to the new compliance requirements.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to building a vibrant, well-regulated and globally competitive hospitality and tourism industry that reflects Nigeria’s cultural heritage while serving as a sustainable driver of economic growth.