The Director General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Dr. Abisoye Fagade, has called for stronger regulation, professional standards, and greater collaboration with the private sector to unlock Nigeria’s vast tourism potential and position the industry as a major driver of economic growth and national development.
Speaking at the 10th Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) in Lagos, Dr. Fagade congratulated the association for sustaining a decade-long commitment to professionalism, destination marketing, and excellence within Nigeria’s tourism ecosystem.
The NIHOTOUR DG described the conference theme, “Unlocking Nigeria’s Tourism Potential: Strengthening Tour Operators for Sustainable Destination Development,” as timely and aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which recognizes tourism as a strategic pillar for economic diversification, job creation, youth empowerment, cultural preservation, and national prosperity.
“Our tour operators are not merely sellers of travel packages; they are architects of business experiences,” Fagade said. “They connect destinations with markets, transform cultural and natural assets into economic opportunities, and serve as ambassadors of Nigeria’s image before the world.”
He stressed that destination development cannot be fully achieved without strong, professional, and globally competitive tour operators.
Fagade disclosed that NIHOTOUR is currently undergoing a major transformation in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda and the NIHOTOUR Establishment Act, evolving from a traditional training institution into a national regulator and capacity development hub for hospitality, tourism, travel, and allied professions.
According to him, the institute’s mission is to build a tourism workforce that is globally competitive, regionally certified, and ethically grounded.
He expressed concern over the growing number of unregistered online tour operators, noting that industry regulation has become imperative.
“We have a lot of online tour operators that are not even recognized by NATOP. The association alone has limited powers to regulate the industry, but NIHOTOUR has the legal mandate to empower stakeholders and ensure standards are maintained,” he said.
The NIHOTOUR boss revealed that the institute is establishing national operational standards, strengthening accreditation systems, promoting continuous professional development, and creating an industry where competence, quality, and professionalism become the defining standards.
He described NATOP as a critical partner in the transformation process, noting that the association serves as the interface between destinations and visitors and plays a significant role in shaping the quality and credibility of Nigeria’s tourism offerings.
Fagade argued that investors would only commit substantial resources to the tourism sector when there are clear standards, structures, and effective regulations in place.
“A well-regulated industry attracts investment, enhances destination reputation, protects consumers, and creates sustainable growth for operators,” he said.
The NIHOTOUR DG also highlighted the importance of preserving cultural heritage and developing community-based tourism products. Drawing from his recent visit to China, he praised the country’s commitment to preserving historic structures and promoting homestay tourism, where visitors stay in local homes to experience indigenous cultures.
“We don’t have that in Nigeria on a large scale, but it is something we can develop. What is in our hands in this country is not for us alone. We must structure and organise ourselves because nobody is going to do it for us,” he said.
Fagade further argued that tourism development could significantly contribute to improving security across the country by creating economic opportunities for local communities and encouraging residents to protect tourism assets.
“If we take ownership of our tourist sites and structure them in such a way that everybody in the area has something to do and something to protect, fewer people will turn to crime,” he said.
Reaffirming NIHOTOUR’s commitment to partnering with NATOP and other industry stakeholders, he pledged continued support through capacity building, policy dialogue, certification, research, innovation, and destination development initiatives aimed at raising standards across the tourism industry.
He urged tour operators to embrace professionalism, innovation, sustainability, and collaboration, adding that the country’s tourism future depends not only on its rich natural and cultural assets but also on the ability of its people to package, manage, market, and deliver exceptional visitor experiences.
“A destination becomes competitive not when it has the most attractions, but when it delivers the best experience,” Fagade said. “Tour operators are not just intermediaries; they are the storytellers of our nation and the bridge between our heritage and the global marketplace.”
He added that NIHOTOUR is building more than a skilled workforce, describing the institute’s efforts as the creation of a “human infrastructure” that will power Nigeria’s tourism economy for generations.
“The future of Nigeria’s tourism will not be built by government alone. It will be built through institutions committed to the private sector and partners like NATOP with a shared vision for national prosperity,” he said.
