May 21, (THEWILL) — The Federal Government has inaugurated the Governing Boards of the Hospitality and Tourism Sector Skills Council of Nigeria (HTSSCN) as part of efforts to professionalise the tourism and hospitality industry and improve Nigeria’s global competitiveness.
The inauguration was held during the Sectoral Personnel, Practitioners, Operators and Institutions Registration, Induction, and Fellowship Conferment ceremony held in Abuja on Thursday.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, said the initiative was to strengthen accountability, competence, standardisation, and institutional coordination within the sector.
She noted that Nigeria’s cultural diversity and creative assets offer significant economic potential, stressing that sustainable industry growth can only be achieved through professionalism and enforceable standards.
According to the minister, the NIHOTOUR Establishment Act has expanded the mandate of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) beyond training to include regulatory and certification responsibilities critical to sector reforms.
Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NIHOTOUR, Abisoye Fagade, described the inauguration of the HTSSCN Governing Boards and induction of practitioners as a major step toward formalising and restructuring the industry.
He said the council would drive workforce development, competency standards, accreditation systems, curriculum enhancement, and professional certification across the tourism and hospitality value chain.
“Regulation and standardisation are no longer optional; they are economic necessities if Nigeria truly intends to compete globally,” Fagade stated.
Stakeholders at the event also underscored the importance of stronger regulation to attract investment and improve service delivery.
President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe, said globally competitive industries are built on discipline, licensing frameworks, and accountability structures that boost investor confidence.
Other heads of agencies expressed support for the reform agenda.
Executive Secretary of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Biodun Ajiboye, highlighted culture as a strategic asset for tourism development, while Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Olayiwola Awakan, commended NIHOTOUR’s drive toward professionalism and ethical standards.
Director General of the National Gallery of Art, Ahmed Bashir Sodangi, also called for greater investment in culture, creativity, and innovation to expand tourism growth and youth employment opportunities.
The event featured the conferment of fellowship honours on several distinguished Nigerians, including government officials, former ministers, and private sector stakeholders, in recognition of their contributions to tourism and cultural development.
Participants at the ceremony called for sustained collaboration among government institutions, private operators, and development partners to position tourism and hospitality as a major contributor to Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda.
Janefrances Ebere Chibuzor is a Tourism Writer at THEWILL
