November 17, (THEWILL) — The Federal Government has ordered the immediate suspension of all enforcement activities by the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) following widespread concerns over the agency’s recent operations.
The suspension was announced on Monday by the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy after Minister Hannatu Musawa approved the directive.
In a statement issued by Nneka Anibueze, Special Adviser to the Minister, the decision followed a comprehensive review of NIHOTOUR’s compliance operations and numerous complaints from operators in the hospitality and tourism sector, who accused the agency of overstepping its legal mandate.
The Ministry said the rising unease within the industry made urgent intervention necessary to restore confidence in the regulatory system.
Musawa explained that the suspension aims to restore order, safeguard the rights of operators, and ensure that regulatory activities are conducted strictly within the confines of the law.
She added that the move aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises transparency and accountability across all sectors.
According to the Minister, the government received “widespread complaints regarding NIHOTOUR’s recent compliance actions” and remains committed to promoting a stable, transparent and business-friendly environment for tourism operators.
She stressed that the federal government would not tolerate regulatory practices capable of stifling growth in a sector heavily dependent on stakeholder cooperation.
Musawa stated that until a full review of NIHOTOUR’s policy and operational framework is concluded, all enforcement activities by the institute remain suspended nationwide.
She reaffirmed that the Ministry is the supervising authority over NIHOTOUR and that the agency must strictly adhere to its gazetted mandate.
While clarifying NIHOTOUR’s official functions—which include setting industry standards, maintaining a register of hospitality workers and enforcing compliance—the Ministry insisted that such duties must be carried out professionally, transparently and with due regard for operators’ rights across the tourism and hospitality value chain.
The suspension follows intense backlash to NIHOTOUR’s controversial enforcement operations earlier this year. Compliance teams, reportedly accompanied by police officers, raided hotels in Lagos, arrested staff and demanded registration fees, prompting outrage across the industry.
In June 2025, Minister Musawa had already directed an immediate halt to NIHOTOUR’s enforcement activities to allow for a more inclusive and transparent stakeholder consultation process.
Industry groups—including the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) and the Nigeria Hotel Association (NHA)—criticised the institute’s actions, arguing that its Establishment Act overlaps with the functions of the Nigeria Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), which they say holds the legal mandate for hotel registration and regulation.
Stakeholders further accused NIHOTOUR of heavy-handed tactics that resulted in arrests and business disruptions, reigniting long-standing debates over the constitutional authority for tourism regulation—a matter that has previously reached the Supreme Court.
The Federal Government’s latest decision is seen as an attempt to ease tensions and pave the way for a broader review of the nation’s tourism regulatory landscape.
Many operators have welcomed the move, describing it as a step toward clarity and fairness.
The Ministry announced that a multi-stakeholder engagement forum will be convened to address ambiguities in the NIHOTOUR Act of 2022 and develop a more coherent regulatory framework.
The forum will draw participants from government agencies, private-sector operators, legal experts and industry associations.
The Ministry assured stakeholders that going forward, all regulatory actions within the sector will be rooted in law, professionalism and broad consultation.
It reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring sustainable growth in the tourism and hospitality industry under a regulatory environment that fosters investor confidence and protects consumers.
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