NIHOTOUR Rejects HOMAL’s Harassment Claims, Vows to Challenge Court Ruling
The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) has rejected claims that a recent Federal High Court judgment in a suit involving the Hotel Owners and Managers Association of Lagos (HOMAL) ended the alleged harassment of hotel owners by the institute, insisting that it will challenge the ruling.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, and signed by its Special Adviser on Communication, Dr Boye Longe, NIHOTOUR said media reports describing the judgment as an end to the alleged harassment misrepresented the issues surrounding the dispute.
The institute maintained that the judgment concerned a disagreement over regulatory jurisdiction in Lagos State and did not establish that fees collected from HOMAL members were extorted or paid under duress.
According to NIHOTOUR, the fees were collected in line with the NIHOTOUR Establishment Act, 2022, which empowers the institute to register, certify and establish professional standards for the hospitality and tourism workforce nationwide.
The institute said it was obtaining a certified copy of the judgment and would challenge the ruling based on legal advice.
It added that the legal process remained ongoing, warning against presenting the judgment as a final resolution of the dispute.
NIHOTOUR further defended its regulatory role, arguing that professional training and certification benefit hotel operators, employees, guests and the wider hospitality industry.
It said a skilled and certified workforce was essential to maintaining professional standards and improving service delivery across the sector.
The institute added that it would refrain from engaging in public arguments over the descriptions attached to the judgment, choosing instead to focus on the legal process and the professional standards required in the hospitality and tourism industry.
NIHOTOUR said it would provide further updates as the legal proceedings progress.
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