NIHOTOUR partners NIS to enhance Nigeria’s tourism industry

THE Director General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Dr Abisoye Fagade, has met with the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS),Kemi Nanna Nandap to forge a strategic collaboration aimed at strengthening standards in Nigeria’s tourism, hospitality, and travel industry.

This partnership seeks to address the influx of expatriates in Nigeria’s hospitality industry, ensuring fair labor practices for Nigerian professionals. Currently, expatriates dominate key positions in hospitality businesses, earning higher salaries in foreign currencies while their Nigerian counterparts receive lower salaries in Naira.

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To bridge this gap, NIHOTOUR is advocating for the inclusion of its certification as a mandatory requirement for hospitality, travel, and tourism businesses when processing work visas for expatriates. This will ensure that only qualified professionals who meet Nigeria’s industry standards are granted permits to work in the sector.

NIHOTOUR has proposed several key initiatives, which include inclusion of NIHOTOUR Certification in work visa requirements, mandatory certification for expatriates to ensure they meet industry standards and joint committee for CERPAC review.

Others are comprehensive review of CERPAC work permits to ensure foreign professionals possess both NIHOTOUR certification and the required permit.

Training of immigration officers for enhanced airport experience, structured training program to enhance professional conduct, eliminate extortion, and foster a welcoming environment for travellers.

This collaboration between NIHOTOUR and the NIS will enhance Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality standards, protect the interests of Nigerian professionals, and promote fairness, professionalism, and sustainable growth in the sector