Category: Culture & Tourism

 

 

Glocient Showcases “Hospitality with Heart” at the 68th UNWTO Regional Commission for Africa Conference

Abuja, Nigeria | June 2025 — Glocient Hospitality Limited took centre stage on Day Two of the 68th United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Regional Commission for Africa (CAF) Conference which just concluded in Abuja, presenting a bold vision for the future of tourism in Africa one that is rooted in empowerment, sustainability, and innovation.

Delivering a presentation titled “Hospitality with Heart: Creating Tourism Spaces that Empower Communities and Celebrate Nature through Innovation,” Glocient’s General Manager, Mr. Sharafa Balogun, called on African hospitality leaders to go beyond conventional tourism models and embrace a more intentional, impact-driven approach.

“Tourism must do more than entertain, it must enrich,” said Mr. Balogun. “At Glocient, we are committed to creating experiences that are not only memorable for guests, but meaningful for the communities and environments that host them.”

Drawing from the revitalization of Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort in Ekiti State, Nigeria, Mr. Balogun highlighted how Glocient is integrating youth empowerment, gender inclusion, and ecological education into the guest experience. At Ikogosi, local youths are trained and employed in key hospitality roles, while women make up 60% of the workforce a testament to the company’s focus on inclusive growth.

The presentation also unveiled an ambitious four-phase innovation project at Ikogosi: the development of an AI-powered educational chatbot designed to offer real-time, culturally contextual information about the site’s botanical heritage. The project, currently in its second phase, aims to blend technology with tradition and turn the resort into an immersive learning environment where guests connect deeply with nature.

As conversations and collaborations at the CAF Conference continue to reshape Africa’s tourism narrative, Glocient remains proud to be part of a movement that places people, planet, and purpose at the heart of hospitality.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) has written to the Minister of Culture, Arts, Tourism and Creative Economy, Mrs. Hannatu Musawa demanding the immediate review and overhaul of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) Establishment Act 2022, saying the act is currently creating crises in the Nigerian tourism industry.

In the letter written by the federation signed by the president, Mr. Nkereuwem Onung, FTAN called on the minister to intervene and bring clarity to the Nigerian tourism and hospitality Industry, saying the NIHOTOUR Establishment Act 2022 is currently creating confusion in the industry.

In the letter dated June 16, 2025, FTAN said: “We are aware that the current Director General of NIHOTOUR Dr.Abisoye Fagade is attempting to implement the spirit and the letters of the NIHOTOUR (Establishment) Act 2022. It has already generated conflicts and confusion in the industry and the Federation does not subscribe to such.

“We therefore call on the Honorable Minister, to act immediately to save the Hospitality and Tourism industry from chaos and imminent collapse due to the confusion of objectives, powers and roles of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) under its establishment Act 2022 (“NIHOTOUR Act” or “the Act”), as well as their conflicting interests and unconstitutionality.”

FTAN noted that there is currently confusion in the Nigerian tourism industry on the role, powers and objectives of the institute. It said: “When on the 14th of February 2022, the then President of the Federation, General Mohammadu Buhari, signed the Nigeria Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) and the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) Acts into law, there was no reason, despite the unsatisfactorily inadequate consultation with stakeholders before their enactments, to believe that the NIHOTOUR Act would generate such confusion and disorder in the industry.

“However, the reality of the inelegance of the Act is now unfolding and foreboding. Under the Act, it is not clear whether NIHOTOUR functions as a professional body, or a training/academic body, or a regulatory body, or a body covering all of the three functional areas!”

FTAN, in the letter, drew the attention of the minister to some of the inconsistencies in the act that is currently creating confusion in the industry, among which are: “ Sections 4 and 5 of the Act specified functions and powers of NIHOTOUR respectively. Section 6 established the Board whose powers are also spelt out under section 9. Part VI (Sections 28 to 31) of the Act made elaborate provisions on to how to become a “member of the profession.” The provisions of these sections raise a lot of questions as to whether NIHOTOUR is a professional body in the hospitality and tourism in industry. For example, paragraphs (e) and (f) of section 4 saddled the Institute with the functions of a professional body in terms of the following provisions: “4. (e) determine the standard of knowledge, content, and skills to be attained by seeking to become members of the hospitality, travel, and tourism profession and review the standard;

“(f) maintain a register of fellows, associates, and registered members entitled to practice (sic) as hospitality, travel and tourism professionals in Nigeria and publish a list of those persons.”

“Section 4(d) also requires the Institute, as part of its functions, to “(d) cooperate with the Standards Organization of Nigeria and relevant bodies in updating internationally certified personnel of the hospitality, travel and tourism industry in Nigeria. (Underline for emphasis). The full intendment and detail of the functions of the Institute under these foregoing paragraphs of Section 4 were spelt out in Part VI (Sections 28 to 31) of the Act with the head: Registration of Hospitality, Travel, and Tourism.”

“A community/combined reading of other provisions of the Act, especially Parts VI, VII and Sections 4(e)-(f) with 5(3)(c) will leave the reader with no other sense than that the Act intends NIHOTOUR to function as a professional body. The expression, “members of the Institute” is a usage for professional and similar bodies with closed membership, not for a government agency. Yet under Section 5(3)(c), NIHOTOUR is empowered to: “(c) be responsible for the discipline and welfare of members of the Institute in accordance with the Public Service Rules, 2008.” (underline for emphasis). If NIHOTOUR is intended by the Act to function as a professional body, how could the Act have provided that its members are subject to discipline under the Public Service Rules. That is a serious aberration and just one of the confusions in the Act. One of the sacred pillars of professionalism is independence of professional opinion, which being defective or substandard in any material form, will expose a member to professional discipline according to the codes and standards of the particular professional body, and to liability according to law. Permit us to emphasize here that civil servants are generally employed under the principle of contract of service, and are subject to public service rules; while a professional person is generally engaged under the principle of contract for service, which is governed by a different regime of legal rules, not by the public service rule; except where the professional is directly employed as a public servant. This provision in Section 5(3)(c) is just one glowing indication of lots of misconceptions, inconsistencies and incompleteness of sense in the words and expressions used in the NIHOTOUR Act. But it is admitted that those words and expressions do generally, notwithstanding the aforesaid shortcomings, convey an intention in the Act to confer on the Institute the status of a professional body!

“A perusal of Section 5(1)(a) -(i) will unavoidably lead one to conclude that the Act also clothes the Institute with the powers of a regulatory body in the hospitality and tourism industry, section 5(1)(a)-(i) provide as follows:

“5(1) The Institute may, in addition to any other power provided under this Act —(a) set conditions and standards for institutions or organizations offering courses in hospitality, travel, and tourism management or skills in Nigeria;

(b) approve programs or courses of training for institutions or organizations offering courses in hospitality, travel, and tourism management or skills in Nigeria…”

(c) assess and grade personnel and quality of services rendered by a practitioner or organization in the hospitality, travel and tourism industry in Nigeria;

(d) impose subscriptions, fees, levies, penalties and other charges for services rendered to private individuals, corporate bodies, institutions, organizations and groups…”

The federation concluded that with so many inconsistencies in the act it was impossible for NIHOTOUR to carry on with the functions and powers as presently provided in the NIHOTOUR Act 2022 not only because they are unwieldy, invalid, irrational and counterproductive, but also because it is inherently impossible to do so.

It maintained that the way forward, is a complete overhaul of the Nihotour Act 2022, so that NIHOTOUR can play the role only of a regulator, a professional body, or an operator in the industry; but not that of a behemoth combining the three clearly distinct roles. Such will strangle and spell doom for, as it is already doing to the industry.

 

Runsewe Calls for Truce in Tourism Sector, Urges Stronger Public-Private Collaboratio

Olusegun Runsewe, Nigeria’s former chief executive of culture and tourism agencies, has called for an immediate end to the ongoing conflict within the cultural tourism sector regarding the regulatory policy by the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR). He has pledged to mediate between all parties involved and promote dialogue and collaboration.

Runsewe, who previously served as Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (now Nigeria Tourism Development Authority) and more recently as Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), said his wealth of experience and strong ties across the sector position him to help resolve the current crisis—particularly the discontent voiced by private sector stakeholders.

“I have received calls from several industry players urging me to step in. At first, I hesitated. But upon deeper reflection on the delicate balance between government policy and private sector interests, I realized it was necessary to act. During my years in public service, I cultivated meaningful relationships with industry leaders, and I believe now is the time to harness those connections for the good of our tourism industry,” he stated.

Runsewe emphasized the importance of constructive engagement and encouraged stakeholders to embrace dialogue rather than division.

“We are all Nigerians. We must view this situation from a collective standpoint. The government exists to serve the people, and the private sector must also be deliberate and strategic in expressing concerns. It is vital to avoid actions that may inadvertently undermine the industry. I am already engaging with key actors to find a peaceful and lasting solution.”

On the issue of regulatory oversight, Runsewe acknowledged the importance of standards and governance in aligning with international best practices. However, he stressed that any regulatory initiative must be rooted in consultation, mutual respect, and collaboration.

He commended those who reached out to him, appreciating their trust in his leadership despite no longer holding a government position. As a committed patriot and respected elder in the industry, Runsewe affirmed his readiness to help broker peace and urged all parties to cease the public confrontation surrounding NIHOTOUR’s proposed regulatory issues.

Hotel Registration: NHCI condemns NIHOTOUR’s unprofessional conduct, arrest of operators

 

…urges Tinubu to call Fagade to order

 

The unprofessional conduct of the National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) over its arrest of some hotel personnel and disruption of their operations in Lagos last week has been condemned.

 

The Nigerian Hotel and Catering Institute (NHCI) described the action of NIHOTOUR over its purported pursuant of its 2022 Act in respect of registration of hotels and their operators as barbaric.

 

This is as it has also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prevail on the Director General of the training Institute, Dr Abisoye Fagade, to put an immediate end to the farcical exercise, which it said is illegal and contravenes the provisions of the Nigeria Constitution, Supreme Court judegemnt of 2013 and a court ruling arising from the case instituted by the Hotels Owners and Managers Association of Lagos (HOMAL) before a competent Court in Lagos, challenging the NIHOTOUR Act of 2022.

 

It will be recalled that the action of NIHOTOUR caused an uproar in some hotels in Lagos last week when its compliance team, accompanied by a truckload of police operatives, both in uniform and plain clothes, stormed a number of hotels and arrested some of the personnel over their failure to register.

 

Those arrested were taken to the Zonal Campus of the Institute in Mushin and released after payment was extracted from them, while others were forced to sign a promissory note to that effect.

 

In one of the incidents, a staff member of one of the hotels visited was assaulted, battered and bruised, with one of his eyes badly damaged. He was hospitalised and undergoing treatment in an undisclosed medical facility in Lagos.

 

Reacting to this development, NHCI, in a press statement titled ‘Re: Purported implementation of NIHOTOUR’s Act 2022 by NIHOTOUR’, signed by its President and Chairman of Council, Victor Ola Kayode, noted, ‘We as a professional body viewed these actions as an act that is highly unprofessional for an organisation that purportedly wants to regulate professional practice in the hospitality and tourism practice in Nigeria.

 

‘It is more inappropriate to have seen such a body utilising the instrumentality of government to coerce legitimate private operators in the industry to dance to its dictates, notwithstanding the fact that there is a subsisting judgement on such a matter from the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2013.’

 

“It is clear that these actions must have been ill-advised and unbecoming of a body who claims to train practitioners for the industry.”

 

This is as it stated further that the purpose for the huge sums of money demanded by NIHOTOUR is unclear when it is not the one responsible for either the training or recruitment of these personnel for the hotels. It also noted that it is pure exploitation just as it condemned its use of force through the Nigerian Police Force to harass, intimidate, brutalise and illegally arrest some of the operators.

 

NHCI’s press statement reads in part: ‘‘These, to the best of professional practice, are absurd, crude and any other thing but unprofessional. This definitely cannot be the intent of the disputed NIHOTOURS Act of 2022 in the spirit of the Nigerian Constitution.

 

‘‘The Nigerian Hotel and Catering Institute (NHCI), as the foremost professional body in the industry in Nigeria, therefore, decries this style, tendency and action and wishes to state that it negates everything tourism and hospitality are known for to the professionals, practitioners, the people and government of Nigeria and must be stopped immediately.

 

‘We also use this medium to call on the Inspector General of Police to stop the use of the police for such duties just as we appeal to the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, through the Attorney General of the Federation, to call the Director General of the training institute NIHOTOUR to order without further delay.

 

‘It is also a civilised expectation that the management of NIHOTOUR will immediately tender unreserved apologies for the embarrassment caused to the relevant operators whose staff were clandestinely arrested and detained not even in the police station but in a campus of their training school.

 

‘‘We hope that immediate actions shall be taken on this matter before it causes a breakdown of law and order in the industry and scares away the foreign investors who are willing to invest in Nigeria and create more jobs in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government.’’

Edited for use:

OYSMIDA DG visits Igbeti, calms fears over rock weathering

By Adewale Owoade

The Director-General, Oyo State Solid Mineral Development Agency (OSMDA), Mr Abiodun Oni, has visited Igbeti in Olorunsogo Local Government to address concerns over a recent rock weathering incident.

Rock weathering is the natural process by which rocks break down or change over time due to exposure to environmental elements such as air, water, temperature changes, and biological activity.

Oni assured residents there was no immediate danger but advised them to avoid the site until it is declared safe by experts.

The incident, which occurred on June 7, caused panic in the community, prompting a swift response from the state government and local authorities.

Oni said preliminary findings showed that a portion of the rock gave way after being exposed to intense heat.

“From what we have seen, the rock was subjected to extreme heat and made a weak part of the rock come down.

“To the glory of God, we don’t have any casualty and this is one of the reasons why the governor sent us here to calm nerves down.

“We have reassured the people of the community that there is no danger but they should steer clear of the rock. This is because there may be a recurrence.

“This thing is better attended to by the local authorities that we have advised from the state. I have been in touch with the elected council chairman and the king of the town. We have also advised the people to stay away as much as they can.

“It is still more like an active system and we don’t want anybody to get hurt. So, I want to implore the people of the community and the farmers farming close to the rock to stay away for now,” he said.

In a related development, Vice Chairman of Olorunsogo Local Government, Adetoro Adegbola, said the council was working to erect a barricade to restrict access.

Adegbola spoke on behalf of the Chairman, Hon. Kazeem Olayanju.

The Onigbeti of Igbetiland, Oba (Engr.) Bashir Abioye, thanked the state government for its swift action and revealed that a team of experts had been mobilised to assess the situation.

“This incident also occurred last year and the one that just happened was the continuation of what happened last year. The government of Oyo State has taken the necessary steps to make sure that no life is lost.

“We have also asked the hunters and farmers that do use the rock to stop going there temporarily. The government has asked a team of experts to come and evaluate the rock and I believe that, with the capacity of the state government, the needful would be done, because we know that the lives of our people are important to them,” he said. (NAN)

 

 

Taraba partners La Campagne on construction of five new tourist attractions

… projects 100 million tourists in five years

…releases 790 hectares of land to La Campagn/Motherland Beckons

 

By Tunde Akano

 

Taraba State Governor Dr Agbu Kefas has signaled a new dawn for tourism development and promotion in the state as he turned his attention to the sector, partnering with the Founder and President of La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort and Motherland Beckons, Otunba Wanle Akinboboye, to transform the tourism landscape of the state.

 

This vision will see the construction of five new tourist attractions, with work commenced already on two sites. One hundred million tourists is projected for five years while Akinboboye is leading a team of engineers and experts from Trinidad and Tobago to work on the project sites.

Besides, the state government has also released 790 hectares of land to La Campagne/Motherland Beckons as part of his bold move to transform the latent potential of the state into an economic haven for the people, who despite the avalanche of natural resources abounding in the land, suffer massive economic deprivation, especially in reaping from tourism windfall following the failures of previous governments.

To this end, Akinboboye and his team were recently hosted by kefas, who is now seen as the new governor championing tourism development in Nigeria, in Jalingo, where among others they had a brain storming session and toured some of the designated locations for the resort projects.

Speaking on this renewed and concerted efforts by Kefas to write his name in gold by embarking on this arduous journey of transforming Taraba into an enviable tourist destination, the Commissioner for Heritage and Eco-Tourism, Rev. Titus Joseph Nagombe, gave details of the project, noting that it is part of the strategic blueprint of the governor to put Taraba on the global map.

According to him, ‘‘the project marks a new chapter in tourism and in economic revitalisation in Taraba State. One that brings us closer to our vision of making Taraba a model of sustainable heritage and eco-tourism in Nigeria and indeed Africa.

‘‘I am pleased to announce to you that La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, a global renowned African theme resort brand, has commence bulldozing and preparatory construction work for two world class eco-resorts in Taraba State.

‘‘The first phase in Ibi and Mayo-Ranewo, Ardo Kola Local Government Area. This project is not just another investment but a boost towards transforming Taraba State into a top tier destination for agro-tourism and eco-tourism.

‘‘These resorts will offer an immersive Africa cultural experience that speaks directly to the heart of our identity, designed to replicate and celebrate the culture, architecture, cohesion and the life style of the host communities.

‘‘The eco-resort is of international standard and blended with Africa originality, to train local farmers in modern mechanization farming techniques, to empower initiative that will assure food production, to alleviate and sustain host communities.

‘‘The resort will serve as a cultural homecoming for Africans in the Diaspora and a source of pride for all Tarabians.’’

He further underscored the seriousness that the governor attached to it, noting,  ‘‘in a testament to the seriousness and scale of this project, we are glad to inform you that engineers and tourism development experts from Africa and many different countries, will be on ground with us here.

‘‘Let me be clear that this is not an isolated effort but that the commencement of this project is a direct resolve and deliberate effort of Taraba State government under the leadership of Dr Agbu Kefas to attract sustainable investment into the state.

Our policy reform, infrastructure, developmental peace building and targeted investors’ engagements are now yielding irreversible results to our state today.’’

He also disclosed that the project is geared to meet the mandate of his Ministry, saying, ‘‘under the Ministry of Heritage and Eco-tourism, we have met the priority to identify, protect and promote Taraba rich cultural and ecological assets.

‘‘Our partnership with La Campagne, a brand that has successfully operated resorts across Nigeria and Africa for over 41 years, with a reputation for promoting tourism and heritage, is part of our broader strategy to preserve our culture while generating income and employment for our people.

‘‘We are proud to say that Taraba is becoming a preferred destination for investment not just in eco-tourism but in agro-business, tourism, culture, hospitality and others.

This resorts will put Taraba on the global tourism map, provide platform for showcasing our art and history and stimulate a regional tourism economy that include craft, tour guides, transport services, marketers and many more.’’

Meanwhile, Akinboboye has expressed excitement over the project, commending Kefas for the bold move in what he described as taking advantage of your advantage. This is as he spoke on exploring the various possibilities in Taraba to transform the state into a world class tourist destination of note.

‘‘I must tell you that first of all, I was very excited to come to Taraba, but I wasn’t too sure of what I was coming to see. But when I got to Taraba I was shocked at the level of possibilities in the over 54, 000 square kilometers of area, the second largest landmass in Nigeria,’’ he disclosed.

Adding, ‘‘I was particularly excited about the possibilities of eco-tourism, the possibilities of heritage and I am sure that a lot of you might not be mindful of the fact that the governor in his wisdom decided to create the Ministry of Heritage and Eco-Tourism.

‘‘I hope you know that you are the first Ministry of Heritage and Eco-Tourism in Nigeria and in Africa because I have never heard of the Ministry of Heritage and Eco-Tourism before.

‘‘It shows basically that he is a governor that understands that when you want to have an advantage you take advantage of your advantage.

‘‘The advantage of Taraba is eco-tourism, with over 54, 000 square kilometers of area. The advantage of Taraba is heritage and we believe very strongly that nowhere in the world, nowhere in the continent of Africa, will be able to compete with Taraba.

‘‘When you look at the Mambila Plateau, you visit Gashaka Gumti and Ibi, the biggest challenge that I had when I came on board was where and how do I start?

‘‘Because even from Jalingo, the possibilities are endless and on the way from Jalingo, to Ibi to Nwonyo Lake where we are going to be building a lake resort, you find that both right and left, are all manners of hills.

‘‘You see a confluence of hills and when I drive and look around, I coin it as a place where hills came many, many years ago to have a conference and refused to leave, as you see a confluence of hills.’’

That initial challenge, he noted has been overcome, as he disclosed, ‘‘but I have been able to overcome that challenge realising that when trees fall on trees you take the topmost first and we want to make it comfortable and easy for a lot of our tourists.

‘‘When they land in Jalingo and before they take four to five hours drive to Ibi, let them get a taste of the heritage, 20 minutes away from Jalingo, at the snake-like hills, we are building a whole city on the hills (Zongo Kombo).’’