Minister Suspends NIHOTOUR Enforcement, Calls for Dialogue, Sector Reform

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa, has directed the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) to suspend all enforcement actions nationwide following recent incidents in Lagos.

The Minister said the move will allow for a more transparent and consultative engagement with stakeholders, which she will personally lead in the coming weeks.

While reaffirming NIHOTOUR’s regulatory mandate, she stressed that enforcement must be guided by empathy and dialogue. “Standards matter, but so does our shared humanity,” she said.

A multi-stakeholder roundtable will soon be convened to align expectations, strengthen partnerships, and reposition the sector in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Minister Musawa also commended industry associations like FTAN for their role in sector growth and pledged continued support for NIHOTOUR’s institutional reform.