Celebrity
Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy Orders Nationwide Suspension of NIHOTOUR Enforcement Activities
Joel Ajayi
The Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, has directed the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) to immediately suspend all enforcement actions nationwide following recent incidents in Lagos State.
The Minister gave the directive on Friday, following the recent incident involving the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) during its national enforcement exercise in Lagos State.
The decision, she said, paves the way for a more inclusive, transparent, and consultative stakeholder engagement process, which the Honourable Minister will personally lead in the coming weeks.
While reaffirming NIHOTOUR’s legal mandate to regulate standards, maintain a register of personnel, practitioners, and professionals, and ensure compliance across Nigeria’s hospitality, tourism, and travel sectors, the Minister called for calm and mutual understanding among all stakeholders.
“The industry must be driven by standards, but our approach must also reflect our shared humanity. Compliance must not come at the expense of dialogue.”
A multi-stakeholder roundtable will be convened shortly to harmonize expectations, deepen collaboration, and reposition the industry for sustainable growth in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and also his compassionate approach of tempering justice with mercy .
The Ministry remains dedicated to strengthening dialogue and strategic partnerships with all sectoral stakeholders to build an ecosystem rooted in trust, innovation, and shared prosperity.
Minister Musawa commended the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) and other professional bodies for their steadfast commitment to advancing sectoral growth and cohesion, and reaffirmed her commitment to supporting NIHOTOUR in its ongoing transformation into a dynamic, responsible, and industry-aligned regulatory institution working collaboratively for national development.
Celebrity
NTDA Intensifies Preparations for a World-Class Eyo Festival 2025
Joel Ajayi
The Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) has begun strategic engagements to reposition the Eyo Festival as one of the nation’s leading cultural tourism attractions, with a courtesy visit by the Director General, Dr. Ola Awakan, to the Iga Idunganran Palace of His Royal Majesty, Oba Rilwan Akiolu I.
The visit forms part of NTDA’s renewed commitment to transforming Nigeria’s major cultural festivals into globally competitive tourism assets, with the Eyo Festival identified as a flagship event capable of drawing both domestic and international visitors.
Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Awakan noted that the Eyo Festival represents the soul of Lagos culture and stands as a powerful tool for destination branding.
“Our focus is to work closely with the Lagos Royal Institution to elevate the Eyo Festival into a world-class cultural attraction that mirrors the vibrancy, identity, and history of Lagos,” he said.
He emphasized the Authority’s dedication to providing technical support, strengthening promotion, and enhancing cultural preservation.
Oba Akiolu welcomed NTDA’s renewed interest, expressing strong support for a more coordinated national approach to the festival’s promotion.
“The Eyo Festival is a heritage treasure and the heartbeat of Lagos tradition. We welcome collaborations that will help safeguard its legacy and promote it as a cultural pride for future generations,” he said.
The monarch urged the NTDA DG to remain steadfast in advancing tourism values that reflect integrity, heritage protection, and cultural growth.
Both parties discussed opportunities to transform the 2025 edition of the Eyo Festival into a more structured cultural tourism experience—one that not only preserves tradition but also enhances visitor participation, creates economic opportunities for local communities, and strengthens Lagos’ position as a premier cultural destination.
At the end of the palace engagement, the Director General and his team were received by the Chairman of Lagos Island Local Government and Chairman of the 2025 Eyo Festival Planning Committee, Hon. Taiwo Oyekan. He welcomed NTDA’s involvement and assured the Authority of the committee’s readiness to work collaboratively to deliver a successful, tourism-driven festival.
Dr. Awakan was accompanied by the NTDA South-West Zonal Coordinator, Mrs. Alice Akinsola, and other senior officials.
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