The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) has distanced itself from the recent induction ceremony conducted by the management of (NIHOTOUR) in Abuja, while reaffirming its position on the NIHOTOUR Act 2022.
In a statement issued by FTAN President, the Federation clarified that it neither participated in nor endorsed the induction of individuals as members and fellows by NIHOTOUR during the event held last week.
Badaki stated that FTAN’s concerns regarding several “grey areas” within the NIHOTOUR Act 2022 remain unresolved, despite repeated engagements with stakeholders. According to him, the Act extends responsibilities beyond NIHOTOUR’s core mandate of manpower training and development, thereby encroaching on areas outside its statutory role as a training institution.
He commended FTAN member associations and industry stakeholders for supporting the Federation’s position and resisting participation in registration exercises allegedly being carried out by NIHOTOUR under different guises.
The FTAN President also praised the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy,, and the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary,, for their commitment to dialogue and stakeholder-driven solutions aimed at strengthening the tourism sector through public-private collaboration.
Badaki explained that the clarification became necessary following numerous inquiries from stakeholders who believed the recent induction exercise was linked to the disputed registration process for tourism operators.
‘‘The position of the Federation on NIHOTOUR Act 2022, is very clear and with no ambiguity whatsoever. The law has appropriated a lot of responsibilities besides the mandatory functions of training and development of manpower for the tourism sector, on NIHOTOUR, thereby infringing on other areas and functions that is not within the purvey of NIHOTOUR as a training institute.
‘‘We have pointed out these greys areas that need to be deliberated on, with acceptable pathway agreed on among the stakeholders, Ministry and NIHOTOUR, including NTDA, before implementation of the Act.’’
He further revealed that the Minister had, on three separate occasions, instructed NIHOTOUR Director-General,, to suspend implementation of the Act pending a comprehensive stakeholder forum to determine an acceptable framework for execution.
FTAN, however, expressed disappointment over what it described as attempts by the NIHOTOUR DG to bypass due process and ministerial directives through alternative means, including the recent induction and registration exercise.
The Federation also condemned the recent reconstitution of the Hospitality Sector Skill Council and its Board of Trustees, alleging that the process lacked proper industry representation and was populated by individuals closely aligned with the NIHOTOUR leadership.
Badaki reiterated that FTAN is not a trade union but a professional umbrella body representing tourism, travel, hospitality businesses, investors, and practitioners across Nigeria.
He concluded by applauding FTAN member associations for remaining united and committed to ensuring due process, assuring stakeholders that the Federation would continue to pursue its position through lawful and legitimate channels.
