The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) has begun a sweeping compliance operation across Lagos State to enforce provisions of its 2022 Establishment Act, particularly the mandatory certification of professionals and businesses in the hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors.
The enforcement exercise, which commenced earlier this week, targets hotels, restaurants, and tourism-related establishments that have yet to comply with registration and certification guidelines outlined by the law.
In a statement released Thursday, NIHOTOUR management emphasized the initiative’s goal to raise service standards, ensure professionalism, and sanitize the sector in line with its statutory obligations. The move is being implemented under the framework of the NIHOTOUR Establishment Act 2022, which mandates the certification of practitioners and the registration of operating entities.
Director of Legal Services at NIHOTOUR, Mrs. Mariam Inuwa, described the enforcement as a long-overdue measure to bring uniformity and credibility to Nigeria’s growing hospitality landscape. She pointed to Section 5(1)(h) of the Act, which empowers the institute to regulate sector activities, and Section 4(o), which stipulates mandatory certification as a requirement for practice.
High-profile hotels recently visited during the operation include Marriott Hotel Ikeja GRA, Sheraton Lagos, Radisson Blu Victoria Island, Black Diamond Hotel, The Sojourner, and FourPoints by Sheraton. NIHOTOUR disclosed that these inspections were preceded by formal notices and contravention warnings issued to the establishments.
Notably, some of the affected hotels have begun aligning with the law. According to NIHOTOUR, “Marriott Hotel, The Sojourner, Radisson Blu, Black Diamond, and FourPoints by Sheraton have all commenced the process of registration and certification, in line with regulatory expectations.”
The institute said the current campaign is a foundational step in bolstering quality assurance in an industry that is increasingly viewed as a strategic pillar of national economic growth, especially under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
NIHOTOUR concluded that it would continue to work closely with stakeholders while upholding full compliance with the legal framework governing the industry.
This development marks a significant regulatory shift for Nigeria’s hospitality sector, signaling the government’s intent to professionalize and standardize services amid growing local and international tourism demand.
