Creative Industry

NIHOTOUR Wins Top Tourism Supportive Agency 2020 Award

Published

4 years ago

February 23, 2021

Joel Ajayi

The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) has won the top tourism supportive Agencies year 2020 award of the Seven Wonders of Nigeria.

In a letter dated 22nd February, 2021 and signed by Nkechi Uko, organizer of the Seven Wonders Nigeria tourism award to Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NIHOTOUR, it said the award was in recognition of the dogged pursuit of NIHOTOUR in the promotion of the travel tourism industry in manpower training and skills upgrade in the face of the global crisis that hit the industry by the Covid-19 pandemic during the year under review

According to the letter, ‘In recognition of your dedication and remarkable efforts to drive and sustain domestic tourism, the Seven Wonders of Nigeria… has the pleasure to inform you that your valiant efforts have not gone unnoticed and have thus been recognized as one of the leading tourism supportive agencies in Nigeria 2020’, the letter read in part.

Arrangements to hold the award by the organizers have reached advanced stage as presentations for the award is billed to take place in Abuja during the 7th Abuja Jabamah from 26th to 27th March, 2021 alongside a Tourism Master Class Training session.

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Creative Industry

NTDA, ITPN Sign Pact to Enhance Professionalism in Tourism Sector

Published

1 day ago

June 6, 2025

The Gleamer

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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