Culture and Tourism

Hospitality, Tourism, Skilled Graduates have brighter prospects- DG NIHOTOUR

Published

5 years ago

September 20, 2021

Joel Ajayi

The Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism NIHOTOUR, Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa, has stated that all skilled graduates of the Travel Tourism and Hospitality trades, irrespective of level or cadre, have brighter prospects of being self-employed and employable within the industry circle of the country.

Kangiwa stated this when final year students of the Department of Leisure and Tourism Management, Federal Polytechnic Idah, Kogi State on an educational tour of the Institute in Abuja paid him a courtesy visit, said the versatile nature of the Travel Tourism and Hospitality business has the capacity and potential to create jobs as well as offer job opportunities to cater for the skill gap existing within the industry.

The Director-General told the students to consider themselves lucky to have made the right choice of studying Travel Tourism and Hospitality trades, adding that none of them will regret making such a decision as jobs will be readily available upon graduation or better still, they have the choice to be self-employed as a business startup.

He said, as the nation’s apex Travel Tourism and Hospitality Skill Acquisition Centre, NIHOTOUR is willing to collaborate with institutions such as the Federal Polytechnic Idah in the enhancement of quality skill acquisition and training that will add value to the growth and development of the industry and in the overall interest of the socio-economic benefit of the country.

In his remarks, the leader of the students’ delegation and Head of Department of Leisure and Tourism Management, Federal Polytechnic Idah, Dr. Ekundayo I. Mejabi said the Department chose to come to NIHOTOUR on the educational visit out of the many options because they believe the Institute has the potential to add enormous value to their quest for knowledge and aspiration to perform better in skill training and acquisition of all the tourism and hospitality trades.

Dr. Mejabi expressed the deepest thanks and gratitude of the students for the honour done in according them a befitting, warm and cordial reception said he looks forward to establishing a mutually beneficial relationship between his Department and the Institute particularly in the area of Hands-on-Training and skill acquisition for the students.

Some of the students who commented on the educational visit said they were happy with the hospitable reception accorded them as well as the knowledge they gained after been conducted round facilities of the Institute by the Heads of Hospitality and Travel Tourism Departments of the Institute, Alhaji Ibrahim Baba and Mr Edward Enenta respectively.

Share on Facebook

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.

Share on Facebook