March 31, (THEWILL) — Stakeholders in Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism sector have endorsed major reform proposals to strengthen regulation, improve standards, and boost investment across the industry.
The resolutions were reached at the National Hospitality and Tourism Stakeholders’ Forum 2026, convened by the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) and held on March 31, 2026, in Abuja.
The forum brought together representatives of federal and state ministries, tourism operators, investors, development partners, traditional institutions, and media organisations to discuss strategies for repositioning tourism as a key driver of economic diversification.
Speaking at the event, NTDA Director-General, Ola Awakan, said the Authority is implementing reforms under the NTDA Act 2022 to improve regulation, attract investment, and enhance service quality across the sector.
He said the Authority is prioritising the digitalisation of tourism, the development of Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism, and nationwide accreditation of hospitality enterprises.
Stakeholders, at the forum, adopted a unified national standardisation framework for the hospitality sector. The framework includes guidelines on service quality, safety, hygiene, staff training, and facility classification.
Participants also identified key challenges affecting the industry, including weak inter-agency coordination, limited access to incentives, and inadequate infrastructure. They recommended stronger collaboration among regulatory bodies and clearer policy direction to support sustainable growth.
The forum further called on the National Assembly to review overlapping functions among tourism agencies and to strengthen legislative support for the sector.
A major highlight of the meeting was the introduction of the Naija Flavour Marketplace, a proposed platform designed to connect tourism businesses, investors, and service providers, particularly Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Participants commended the leadership of the NTDA for convening the forum and reaffirmed their commitment to working collaboratively to position Nigeria as a competitive tourism destination.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to using tourism as a tool for job creation, economic growth, and national development.
Janefrances Ebere Chibuzor is a Tourism Writer at THEWILL
