Creative Industry
ITPN FCT Chapter Visits Kangiwa, Harps On Training To Grow The Industry
Joel Ajayi
Officials of the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria led by its Chairman Mrs. Ebikaboere Seimodei were at the Headquarters of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) on a courtesy visit to Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa, Director General of the Institute during the week and sought for collaboration on manpower training for practitioners in the industry.
Alhaji Nura Kangiwa who called for strong collaborative efforts amongst all key players in the hospitality and tourism industry while welcoming the ITPN officials, said continuous upgrade training is key to competent professional practice and quality service delivery if the industry is to perform optimally in line with global best practice.
He said this is the more reason why the Institute has embarked on more outreach efforts to get operators and critical stakeholders key into training programmes offered by the Institute to perfect professional conducts and practices in all relevant segments of the hospitality and tourism industry which the country looks up to as a viable and vibrant sector of the nation’s economy.
The Director General noted that with the inauguration of the Hospitality and Tourism Sector Skills Council of Nigeria (HTSSCN), enforcement of training requirements, professional competence and proficiency in all cadres and levels of professional practice in the industry will soon be monitored to ensure compliance with the requisite needs of all practitioners.
Kangiwa then called for stronger ties between the NIHOTOUR and ITPN as training providers and certifying Institute to promote the culture of regular professional training and upgrade of practitioners in the industry that will enable Nigerians occupy high office positions against the practice where only expatriates are offered key positions particularly in the hospitality sub-sector of the industry.
Earlier in her address, leader of the delegation and Chairman of the FCT Chapter of ITPN, Mrs. Seimodei said they were at the Institute to congratulate Alhaji Kangiwa over his appointment as well as solicit for his support in training and professional upgrade of its members and practitioners of the industry in the utmost quest to promote competency of professional practice and quality service delivery in the industry.
Mrs. Seimodei who expressed her dismay on the practice where expatriates are considered and placed above their Nigerian counterparts in terms of job positions and remunerations, appealed for a reversal of the trends as it is highly unjust, unfair and should not be tolerated to continue in the industry.
She then called for monitoring of professional conducts and practices of operators in the industry to ensure compliance and quality output on the job by practitioners, saying that this will bring about improved service delivery and better practice in the industry.
Creative Industry
NTDA, ITPN Sign Pact to Enhance Professionalism in Tourism Sector
Joel Ajayi
In a strategic move to strengthen professionalism and build capacity within Nigeria’s tourism industry, the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) has forged a partnership with the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN).
During a courtesy visit to the Authority, the ITPN delegation led by Mrs. Fatimah Obadaki, Chairperson, FCT Chapter emphasized the need for structured collaboration aimed at equipping tourism personnel with industry-relevant skills and enhancing service standards across the sector.
She highlighted that the visit was rooted in the institute’s mission to foster partnerships that promote high standards of service delivery and human capital development in the Nigerian tourism and hospitality sectors.
In his remarks, Dr. Olaleye Taiwo Famogbiyole, FITPN, Registrar of the ITPN, FCT Chapter, emphasized the pressing need to bridge the skill gap between academic knowledge and industry requirements. “The knowledge our graduates bring into the industry is no longer sufficient. We must adopt industry-recognized training programs to align university education with practical industry expectations. As an awarding body within the hospitality, travel, and allied trades ecosystem, we see a vital need to professionalize the sector,” Dr. Famogbiyole stated.
He further called for collaboration with NTDA in training staff in tour operations, tour guiding services and destination management. He proposed that NTDA staff be enrolled as members of the institute and benefit from its tailored training programs.
Dr. Famogbiyole also commended NTDA for its unwavering support of the National Tourism and Transportation Summit (NTTS), one of ITPN’s flagship initiatives. “NTDA has been a consistent and invaluable partner in the success of the NTTS over the years,” he noted.
In response, Mr. Ovie Esewhaye, Director overseeing the Office of the Director General of NTDA, welcomed the ITPN team and praised their resilience and commitment to professionalizing the sector despite prevailing economic challenges.
“At NTDA, we are repositioned for effective performance through strategic collaborations. We are open to partnerships that enhance the capabilities of our workforce. I pledge that all NTDA directors will be enrolled as members of the Institute and we will ensure our staff benefit from the various training programs offered by ITPN,” Mr. Esewhaye assured.
He further revealed that NTDA is undergoing a digital transformation and working towards ISO certifications to improve operational efficiency. “We want to be a benchmark for tourism standards in Africa,” he said.
Mr. Esewhaye reaffirmed NTDA’s commitment to the National Tourism and Transportation Summit and expressed willingness to participate in its upcoming edition. He also accepted ITPN’s invitation to participate in the Abuja Tourism Roundtable scheduled for July 2025, emphasizing, “As long as it has to do with promoting tourism, we will be there.”
The visit marked a significant step in strengthening institutional ties aimed at enhancing professionalism and capacity within Nigeria’s tourism sector.
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