The Federal Government has suspended all enforcement activities carried out by the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) across Nigeria, following weeks of mounting complaints from hotel operators, tourism groups, and industry stakeholders who accused the agency of overstepping its legal boundaries.
The announcement was made on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy after Minister Hannatu Musawa approved an immediate halt to NIHOTOUR’s compliance operations. The Ministry said the suspension became necessary after a comprehensive review of recent enforcement raids and the “growing distress” they have caused within the sector. The statement was issued through Nneka Anibueze, the Minister’s Special Adviser.
Sector Tension: Operators Say Enforcement Was “Heavy-Handed”
This is not the first time NIHOTOUR’s regulatory approach has stirred controversy. For months, hoteliers and tourism operators have argued that the agency had begun to operate like a parallel regulator. They often arrive unannounced with police escorts to demand staff registrations, certifications, or immediate compliance with directives many operators claimed they barely understood.
Industry associations such as the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) and the Nigeria Hotel Association (NHA) had, in multiple letters and press briefings, accused NIHOTOUR of overreaching its mandate, especially in states where tourism regulation is legally considered a sub-national function.
Many stakeholders described the enforcement raids in Lagos earlier this year as “disruptive” and “invasive,” leading to Musawa’s earlier intervention in June 2025, when she temporarily halted the operations to allow for consultations. However, with enforcement activities resuming in recent months and complaints resurfacing the Ministry has now ordered a wider and more comprehensive suspension. In other news iNaijanow shared a story of the house of rep moving WAEC CBT plan to 2030.
At the center of the dispute is the NIHOTOUR (Establishment) Act of 2022, which empowers the agency to set training standards for the hospitality workforce, maintain a register of practitioners, and certify staff and operators.
But hoteliers argue that the Nigeria Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), not NIHOTOUR, is the body legally mandated to register hotels and oversee sector-wide compliance. The overlapping jurisdiction has led to confusion, duplication of levies, and unnecessary tension between operators and regulators.
The issue has even spilled into the courts. Over the years, several cases including one referenced before the Supreme Court have questioned whether tourism regulation belongs to the federal government or the states. Operators say NIHOTOUR’s aggressive enforcement only exposed how unresolved the matter remains.
Ministry Announces Stakeholder Dialogue
To resolve the repeated clashes, the Ministry said it will convene a multi-stakeholder engagement in the coming weeks involving regulators, private sector players, state governments, legal experts, and industry associations.
The goal, according to the Ministry, is to clarify the NIHOTOUR Act, define the agency’s limits, address industry concerns, and create a modern regulatory framework that supports Nigeria’s ambition to position tourism as a major contributor to GDP.
“The Federal Government remains committed to professionalism, lawful processes, and protecting the rights of all operators,” the statement read. “Going forward, every regulatory action must reflect these principles.”
