The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) has trained more than 700 members of staff in digital skills, reinforcing its institutional modernisation drive and efforts to build a workforce capable of supporting the growing technology needs of Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism industry.
The five-day intensive practical training programme, held from November 2 to 6, 2026, was organised in partnership with Jampitech Solutions Company Limited and focused on equipping employees across the Institute’s directorates with essential digital competencies for improved workplace performance.
The initiative forms part of NIHOTOUR’s broader digital transformation agenda, which seeks to strengthen internal capacity, improve operational efficiency and promote the use of technology in the delivery of its statutory responsibilities.
Participants received practical training in computer and internet fundamentals, Microsoft Office applications, Google Workspace, artificial intelligence and workplace automation.
Other areas covered included cybersecurity and digital safety, digital communication, content creation and the application of digital tools to everyday workplace activities.
Speaking at the commencement of the programme, NIHOTOUR’s Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Aare Abisoye Fagade, described the training as a strategic investment in the Institute’s human capital and long-term institutional development.
Fagade said an organisation seeking to lead professional development and transformation in the hospitality and tourism industry must demonstrate those values within its own operations.
“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.
He explained that the programme was designed to go beyond basic computer literacy by developing employees’ ability to deploy technology in improving efficiency, strengthening communication, managing information and supporting informed decision-making.
According to him, the effective use of digital tools across departments would help improve institutional coordination, enhance productivity and deliver better outcomes for the Institute.
The NIHOTOUR chief executive also stressed that digital transformation should not be regarded as the exclusive responsibility of the Information and Communications Technology Department, noting that every employee has a role to play in the process, irrespective of position or department.
The training aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly its focus on human capital development, technology adoption, skills acquisition, institutional efficiency and improved public service delivery.
For NIHOTOUR, the programme also represents an internal component of ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening its capacity to implement the NIHOTOUR Act 2022 and effectively carry out its mandate across Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism sector.
The Institute is responsible for functions spanning training, certification, registration, accreditation and the development of professional standards within the industry.
However, the effective execution of these responsibilities requires more than regulatory frameworks and policy direction. It also depends on a workforce equipped with the technical knowledge and practical skills needed to respond to changing industry demands.
By extending the training to more than 700 employees across its directorates, NIHOTOUR is seeking to make digital competence an integral part of its organisational culture and daily operations.
The positive response to the initiative was also reflected in an appreciation conveyed by the Institute’s Lagos Directorate, which commended Fagade for prioritising staff development and investing in a more digitally capable workforce.
NIHOTOUR also acknowledged the contribution of Jampitech Solutions Company Limited for its technical partnership and facilitation of the programme, while commending management and staff members for their participation throughout the five-day exercise.
The Institute said it would encourage employees to apply the knowledge acquired in their respective departments, with the expectation that the training would translate into improved efficiency, stronger collaboration, better service delivery and measurable productivity gains.
The development comes as organisations across the public and private sectors increasingly adopt digital solutions to improve administrative processes, manage information and respond to changing service delivery expectations.
For NIHOTOUR, sustaining the benefits of the programme will depend on how effectively staff members integrate the newly acquired competencies into their daily responsibilities.
The Institute said it remained committed to building a professionally competent and digitally empowered workforce capable of supporting its institutional reforms and contributing to the growth and global competitiveness of Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism industry.
