IBADAN — The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Aare Dr. Abisoye Fagade, has dissolved the Governing Board of the Hospitality and Tourism Sector Skills Council of Nigeria (HTSSCN), as part of efforts to reposition the body for greater efficiency and industry relevance.
Dr. Fagade announced the decision during the 50th anniversary celebration of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA) in Ibadan, describing the move as a strategic transition aimed at strengthening the sector’s capacity for skills development.
He said the dissolution followed a comprehensive review of the Council’s operations, noting that the restructuring would enhance inclusiveness, improve coordination among stakeholders, and align the Council’s mandate with national economic priorities.
According to him, the reform is designed to establish a more unified, industry-driven framework capable of delivering globally competitive standards in hospitality and tourism.
“The reconstituted board will serve as the engine room for competency, certification, and workforce transformation across the hospitality and tourism value chain,” he said.
Dr. Fagade also announced the constitution of a new governance structure for the Council, comprising a Board of Trustees and a Board of Directors, with representation from key regulatory and industry bodies subject to approval.
He named Mr. Onung Nkereukem as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, alongside Alhaji Idris Abdullahi and Mrs. Toyin Dada as members. For the Board of Directors, Mr. Yinka Folami was named Chairman.
The new structure is expected to include institutional representation from organisations such as HATMAN, NBTE, NHA, APCN, SON, NATOP and EMAN.
The NIHOTOUR boss said the overhaul aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to formalise and standardise the tourism sector to boost economic growth, create jobs and enhance national development.
Speaking on the anniversary event, Dr. Fagade commended NANTA for its contributions to Nigeria’s travel industry over the past five decades, describing the association as a vital link between Nigeria and the global tourism market.
He reiterated NIHOTOUR’s commitment to raising industry standards through initiatives such as its registration and certification platform aimed at improving professionalism and global competitiveness among operators.
The event attracted major stakeholders across the tourism and hospitality sectors, signalling a renewed push by the Federal Government to drive reforms through stronger collaboration between regulators, private sector players and professional bodies.
2026-04-16