Tinubu Reaffirms Support for Tourism Reforms, Receives Highest Industry Honour
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to developing Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality industry, pledging continued support for reforms aimed at improving professional standards, creating jobs and attracting investment.
The President gave the assurance during a meeting with the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Aare Abisoye Fagade, in Abuja on Thursday.
During the meeting, Fagade briefed the President on ongoing reforms across the tourism, hospitality and travel sectors, highlighting initiatives to strengthen professional standards, promote skills development and implement the NIHOTOUR Act 2022.
He said the reforms were designed to improve service delivery, enhance accountability and strengthen the competitiveness of Nigeria’s tourism industry.
As part of the engagement, Fagade presented Tinubu with the Grand Fellow of National Hospitality and Tourism (GFNHT), described by NIHOTOUR as the highest singular honour in Nigeria’s tourism sector.
The President’s pledge of continued support underscores the growing importance of tourism as a driver of economic diversification, employment generation, investment and enterprise development.
Speaking on the significance of the meeting, Fagade stressed the need to reposition tourism beyond leisure and recreation, describing it as a viable economic sector capable of creating opportunities for Nigerians and contributing to national prosperity.
“Our responsibility is to build the professional and institutional foundations that will enable Nigeria’s tourism potential to translate into jobs, investment and sustainable economic growth. The President’s continued support is important to advancing these reforms and positioning the sector for greater national impact,” he said.
According to NIHOTOUR, the reforms will strengthen professional competence, improve industry standards and establish a credible regulatory environment that supports business growth and encourages investment.
The engagement also aligns with the objectives of the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its focus on economic diversification, job creation and the development of productive non-oil sectors.
NIHOTOUR reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with government institutions and private-sector stakeholders to build a professional, competitive and globally recognised tourism industry capable of delivering sustainable economic benefits to Nigerians.
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