The President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Dr. Badaki Aliyu, has lauded the management of Hospitality Business School (HBS), Lagos, for its role in bridging the manpower gap in Nigeria’s hospitality industry.
Dr. Badaki gave the commendation while speaking at the HBS 2025 Graduation Ceremony and Awards held at The Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos, over the weekend. He praised the Chief Executive Officer of HBS, Dr. Eric Mekwuye, and his team for their commitment to excellence in hospitality education.
According to him, HBS is “feeding the industry the lifeblood it needs to grow,” noting that quality manpower remains critical to the sector’s sustainability.
The FTAN president stressed that the theme of the event, “Hospitality Change Agents,” was not just a slogan but a clear mandate for graduates entering the industry.
“We are living in a time where the global tourism and hospitality landscape is shifting beneath our feet,” he said, pointing out that technology, sustainability, and changing traveller behaviours are redefining industry standards.
“To survive and thrive, the industry no longer needs mere employees—it needs change agents,” Badaki added.
He explained that being a change agent in the hospitality industry means prioritising innovation over tradition by rethinking processes such as check-in systems or menus to make them more efficient, locally relevant, and memorable.
On service delivery, Badaki emphasised the need to imbibe service excellence as a culture. He noted that while Nigerians are known for warmth and friendliness, professionals must bridge the gap between natural hospitality and world-class service standards.
“As change agents, you must set the gold standard that makes a guest choose Lagos over Dubai or London,” he said.
The FTAN president also highlighted resilience as a key attribute, stressing that the hospitality industry is sensitive to economic and global shocks.
“A change agent doesn’t panic during a crisis; they pivot,” he said.
Addressing the graduands directly, Badaki noted that the private sector is eager for their skills, adding that authentic African hospitality is fast becoming a global brand.
“Whether you find yourselves at The Wheatbaker or starting your own outfit, remember that you carry the reputation of this nation on your shoulders,” he said.
He offered three pieces of advice to the graduating students: never stop learning, uphold integrity as their currency, and embrace collaboration by building strong professional networks.
While congratulating the HBS Class of 2026, Badaki reminded them that being a hospitality change agent is a daily responsibility.
“The industry is waiting for you. Nigeria is waiting for you. Go out there and lead the change,” he said.
In his opening remarks, the CEO of HBS, Dr. Eric Mekwuye, described the institution as not just a school but a movement. He recounted that the journey of HBS began 32 years ago after he was denied a visa to travel abroad to attend a hospitality school.
Dr. Mekwuye said the school has since been repositioned to provide world-class hospitality training locally and advised young Nigerians to reconsider the idea that quality training must be obtained abroad.
He disclosed that more than 500 students have graduated from the institution over the years, contributing significantly to the growth of Nigeria’s hospitality sector.
