THE Federal Government has suspended all enforcement activities carried out nationwide by the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), following mounting concerns over the agency’s recent operations in the hospitality and tourism industries.
The directive was issued by the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy and approved by the Honourable Minister, Hannatu Musa Musawa, Esq. The suspension takes immediate effect.
According to the Ministry, the decision follows a comprehensive review of NIHOTOUR’s recent compliance and enforcement activities, which have sparked criticism and anxiety among operators in the sector.
Stakeholders had raised alarms over what they described as excessive, unclear, or intrusive regulatory conduct that threatened business stability and investor confidence.
Minister Musawa said the suspension was necessary to restore order and ensure that regulatory engagements remain within the confines of the law, while aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for tourism, creative enterprise, and economic expansion.
“The Ministry has taken note of widespread complaints regarding NIHOTOUR’s recent compliance actions,” Musawa said in a statement signed by her Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Nneka Ikem Anibeze.
“We are committed to maintaining a stable, transparent, and business-friendly tourism environment. Until a full policy and operational review is completed, all NIHOTOUR enforcement activities are hereby suspended nationwide.”
The suspension covers a wide range of NIHOTOUR field operations, including:
Field inspections and compliance raids
Issuance of demand notices, fines or penalties
Licensing or registration enforcement
Any enforcement activity involving police or third-party security personnel
The Ministry reiterated that it is the statutory supervisory authority over NIHOTOUR, stressing that all policy direction and operational oversight of the Institute remain firmly under its jurisdiction, as outlined in the NIHOTOUR Establishment Act.
The Federal Government assured industry operators that moving forward, all regulatory interventions will be guided by law, professionalism, and stakeholder participation.
To this end, the Ministry will convene a multi-stakeholder engagement to review grey areas in the NIHOTOUR Act, strengthen clarity in the regulatory framework, and prevent future disruptions in Nigeria’s growing hospitality and tourism landscape.
The statement, noted that the Ministry remains committed to fostering a conducive atmosphere that promotes tourism development, protects operators’ rights, and enhances Nigeria’s global competitiveness as a destination.