NIHOTOUR Empowers Over 700 Staff with Digital Skills Training, Accelerates Institutional Reforms
The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) has strengthened its institutional modernisation drive with the successful training of more than 700 staff members in essential digital skills, aimed at improving workforce efficiency, productivity and service delivery.
The five-day intensive training programme, held from November 2 to 6, 2026, in Abuja, was organised in partnership with Jampitech Solutions Company Limited as part of the Institute’s commitment to building a digitally competent workforce capable of meeting the demands of a technology-driven workplace.
The initiative brought together staff members from various directorates and focused on equipping participants with practical knowledge and skills to enhance their performance, improve internal processes and support the Institute’s ongoing digital transformation agenda.
The training covered several areas, including computer and internet fundamentals, Microsoft Office applications, Google Workspace, artificial intelligence, workplace automation, cybersecurity, digital safety, online communication, content creation and other practical digital applications.
Speaking at the commencement of the exercise, NIHOTOUR Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Aare Abisoye Fagade, FNHT, FRPA, FIMC, described the programme as a strategic investment in the Institute’s human capital and long-term institutional development.
Fagade stressed that an organisation aspiring to drive professional development and transformation in Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism industry must first embrace those principles within its own operations.
He noted that NIHOTOUR could not effectively lead the digital transformation of the sector without ensuring that its workforce possessed the necessary technological skills and competencies.
“We cannot lead the digital transformation of Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism industry if we are not prepared to embrace digital transformation within our own institution,” he said.
The Director-General explained that the programme was designed to achieve more than basic computer literacy, noting that the Institute wanted its workforce to understand how technology could be deployed to improve efficiency, strengthen communication, manage information, facilitate informed decision-making and deliver better institutional results.
He also emphasised that digital transformation should not be seen as the exclusive responsibility of the Information and Communication Technology Department, but as a collective obligation requiring the active participation of every employee, regardless of department, position or designation.
According to him, the success of the Institute’s modernisation efforts depends largely on the willingness of its workforce to adopt new technologies and integrate digital solutions into their daily responsibilities.
The programme is consistent with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly its focus on human capital development, technology adoption, institutional efficiency, skills acquisition and improved public service delivery.
For NIHOTOUR, the training also forms part of broader internal reforms designed to strengthen its capacity to implement the NIHOTOUR Act 2022 and effectively carry out its statutory responsibilities across the hospitality and tourism industry.
These responsibilities include training, certification, registration, accreditation and the development of professional standards for operators and practitioners within Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism sector.
The Institute maintained that achieving these objectives requires more than effective policies and regulatory frameworks, stressing that a skilled, motivated and technologically equipped workforce remains essential to delivering on its mandate.
The participation of more than 700 employees in the programme underscores the management’s determination to make digital competence an important component of the Institute’s organisational culture and everyday administrative processes.
The positive reception of the initiative was further demonstrated by the NIHOTOUR Lagos Directorate, which expressed appreciation to the Director-General for prioritising staff development and investing in the development of a digitally empowered workforce.
The Institute also acknowledged the contributions of Jampitech Solutions Company Limited for providing technical support and facilitating the training, while commending its management and staff members for their active participation throughout the five-day programme.
Following the conclusion of the exercise, NIHOTOUR said it would encourage participants to translate the knowledge acquired into practical improvements within their respective departments.
The expected outcomes include improved operational efficiency, stronger interdepartmental collaboration, enhanced communication, better service delivery and measurable gains in staff productivity.
As the Institute continues to pursue its institutional reform and modernisation agenda, it reaffirmed its commitment to developing a workforce that is professionally competent, technologically equipped and prepared to support the growth and international competitiveness of Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism industry.
The latest initiative reinforces NIHOTOUR’s position that sustainable institutional development begins with investing in people, equipping them with relevant skills and creating an environment where innovation and efficiency can thrive.
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