Culture and Tourism

NIHOTOUR Matriculates 500 Students, Urges them to be Discipline, Deligent In Academic Pursuits

Published

5 years ago

August 21, 2021

Newly matriculated students of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) have been enjoined to be obedient to constituted authorities of the Institute and remain law abiding with strict adherence of the tenets of the Institute which is Centre of Excellence in the pursuit of their various professional programs for the 2020/2021 academic session and beyond.

Nura Sani Kangiwa, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute who made the call during the Matriculation Ceremony of Students of the Institute for the 2020/2021 Academic Session in Abuja and other eight campuses across the country via Zoom streaming, said the students should see themselves lucky in coming to NIHOTOUR for career proficiency and development in the Nigerian Travel Tourism and Hospitality industry.

The Director General who stated that the Institute has since inception been offering robust Course Programs for personnel in the Travel Tourism and Hospitality industry of the country, assured the matriculating students of the support of the Institute in ensuring that the students attain both their personal and organizational goals in the upgrade of their professional competence and status for better service delivery in their work places within the industry.

Kangiwa who was represented at the occasion by the Director, Research and Development/General Studies of the Institute, Dr. Taiwo Famogbiyele, reiterated the resolve of NIHOTOUR to produce skilled, motivated and well-equipped graduates that will be instrumental and involved in bringing about the desired change of filling the skill-gap in the industry and ensure better quality service delivery in line with global best practices.

The Guest lecturer of the occasion Mr. Nkereuwem Onung and National President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) called for the reinforcement and job assurances in the labour market as well as within the operations of the industry by government and employers to mitigate the negative impacts and effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the industry resulting in job losses and dwindling of businesses of stakeholders and investors.

He applauded the efforts of NIHOTOUR for continuously engaging operators and professional practitioners in the industry for better service delivery through training and re-training, noting that without the requisite skilled manpower, better quality service delivery as needed by customers and tourists in the industry will be a mere mirage.

He reiterated further the socio-economic importance of the Travel Tourism and Hospitality industry in enhancing the country’s GDP as well as job creation and employment provision opportunities for the teeming youths in the country.

The Matriculation Ceremony which was attended by stakeholders in the industry, Government functionaries, staff and students of the Institute, has a total of Five Hundred Students for the 2020/2021 Academic Year across the Nine Campuses of the Institute namely, Abuja, Enugu, Bauchi, Lagos, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Oshogbo and Kano.

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Culture and Tourism

Awakan Marks First Anniversary as NTDA DG, Charts New Course for Tourism Sector

Published

1 week ago

September 24, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

As the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) enters its second year under the leadership of the Director-General, Mr. Ola Awakan, the focus will remain on building partnerships and converting Nigeria’s tourism assets into greater opportunities for investment and accelerated economic growth.

That simple message framed the one year scorecard presented on Wednesday by Mr. Awakan during NTDA Tourism Week 2026 and activities leading to World Tourism Day held in Abuja.

“Nigeria does not lack tourism assets,” Awakan said. “What is required is a system that connects these assets to investments, jobs, technology, enterprise and sustainable economic value.” He added.

Reeling out his scorecard, Awakan observed that over the past year, the Authority concentrated on stakeholder engagement, innovation, investment facilitation, digital transformation, destination marketing, tourism intelligence and institution building.

He explained that efforts have been made towards deeper collaboration with government institutions, traditional institutions, private-sector operators, development partners, financial institutions, professional bodies, communities and international partners.

On the digital front, the NTDA boss said the Authority has advanced NITOUREY, a dedicated tourism streaming platform and content ecosystem meant to take Nigerian destinations, culture and experiences to wider audiences, in alignment with this year’s World Tourism Day theme, “Digital agenda and artificial intelligence to redesign Tourism”.

He also identified Naija Flavour as a flagship project to position Nigerian cuisine as both a tourism asset and a tool for cultural diplomacy, linking tourism to Nollywood, music, fashion, food, festivals and digital creativity.

Speaking further, Awakan reiterated that the NTDA is also digitising tourism enterprise accreditation and regulatory processes while developing a grassroots tourism framework to identify, document and promote assets across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.

Internationally, NTDA has expanded ties with tourism institutions, diplomatic missions, development partners and global organisations on technical cooperation, investment, destination marketing, capacity building, cultural diplomacy and market access.

The NTDA helmsman however recognised that challenges remain such as infrastructure gaps, weak tourism data, limited connectivity to some destinations, security concerns in certain locations, regulatory compliance shortfalls and the need for stronger private-sector participation.

Awakan remained positive looking ahead with his priorities including the mobilisation of more tourism investment, accelerating the development of viable assets, expanding domestic and international marketing through deeper digital transformation, strengthening regulation, increasing community participation, building capacity of tourism professionals and deepening partnerships with international tourism institutions.

The DG also announced plans for the expanded Naija Flavour International Tourism Expo to be unveiled in Abuja later this year making it the ultimate platform aimed at drawing international participation, investors and development partners into the sector.

While thanking President Bola Tinubu GCFR for giving him the opportunity to serve, he added that, “One year in office is not the destination. It is a checkpoint,” reiterating that the next phase would require stronger partnerships, greater investment and sustained institutional commitment.

Earlier, the Director of Marketing and Promotion of NTDA Mr. Olufemi Akinyele, said the milestone was being marked as part of NTDA Tourism Week, which began with a road walk and a guided tour of Abuja under the theme “Digital Vibes, Nigerian Pride: Celebrating Tourism, Culture and People.”

Government and industry representatives at the event congratulated the Director General and commended the Authority’s increased engagement with tourism stakeholders.

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