The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) has formally called on the Director General of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr Ifeanyi Okeke, to suspend all activities of the National Technical/Mirror Committee (TC/MC) following concerns over a recent circular requesting nominations into its Sub-Committees.
In a letter signed by FTAN President Dr Aliyu Ajayi Badaki, the apex tourism body expressed disappointment over what it described as procedural lapses and a breach of trust. FTAN urged SON to return the TC/MC on Tourism-Related Services to the proper path by ensuring industry-wide stakeholder inclusion and respect for agreed processes.
“The Federation will not participate in the TC/MC until the promised follow-up meeting is held, the leadership is reconstituted, and a qualified, selfless member is considered to head the committee,” the letter stated.
FTAN also directed all its member associations to suspend any engagement with the TC/MC, including submitting nominations, and requested that any communications from SON be forwarded to the Federation Secretariat for documentation.
The Federation cited concerns over leadership integrity, conflict of interest, and lack of professional vetting of committee members as reasons for its stance. It emphasized that participation in the process without resolution of these issues could weaken the private sector’s influence and harm Nigeria’s tourism industry on the international stage.
FTAN reassured SON and the public that it remains committed to professional collaboration, provided that it is based on mutual respect, transparency, and inclusion of organized private sector stakeholders.
