Ministry Orders Immediate Enforcement of NIHOTOUR Act 2022, Regulations 2025
Abuja, March 1, 2028
The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy has ordered the immediate and full implementation of the NIHOTOUR Act 2022 and the NIHOTOUR Regulations 2025, directing the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) to begin enforcement without delay.
The directive was contained in a letter dated February 26, 2028, and signed by the Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa. The letter mandates the Director-General of NIHOTOUR, Abisoye Fagade, to proceed with immediate implementation in line with the powers conferred on the Institute by its Establishment Act and subsidiary regulations.
The Ministry said the move is aimed at strengthening regulation within Nigeria’s hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors, describing it as a necessary step toward repositioning the industry as a structured, professional, and globally competitive contributor to the national economy.
According to the Minister, regulating personnel and operators in the sector is critical to enhancing professionalism, improving service quality, protecting consumers, and promoting sustainable industry growth.
“The regulation of personnel and operators within the hospitality, travel and tourism sectors, as specified in the Act, is essential to enhancing professionalism, service quality, consumer protection, and sustainable industry growth,” the Minister stated. “This regulatory framework establishes minimum standards for skills, ethics, safety, and operations. It will strengthen public confidence, improve competitiveness, and align the sector with national and international best practices.”
The Ministry further noted that the implementation of the NIHOTOUR Act 2022 and the 2025 Regulations marks a strategic milestone in strengthening institutional governance and standardizing training and certification across the tourism value chain. It added that strict compliance with operational standards would boost investor confidence and ensure improved service delivery nationwide.
NIHOTOUR has been directed to formally communicate the mandate to all departments, stakeholders, operators, and practitioners under its regulatory purview to ensure full and immediate compliance.
Observers say the directive signals a renewed push by the Federal Government to formalize and regulate the hospitality and tourism ecosystem, a sector widely regarded as a key driver of employment, cultural promotion, and non-oil revenue generation.
The Federal Ministry reiterated its commitment to building a vibrant, well-regulated, and globally competitive hospitality and tourism industry that reflects Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage while driving sustainable economic growth.
2026-03-02