FG Halts NIHOTOUR Enforcement Amid Complaints from Tourism Sector

The Federal Government has stepped in to curb overreach by the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), suspending all its enforcement activities nationwide.
The directive, signed off by Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, comes after mounting complaints from industry operators about heavy-handed inspections, fines, and compliance actions.
Special Adviser on Media and publicity in the ministry Dr. Nneka Ikem Anibeze in a statement quoted her to have said,
“The Ministry is committed to a fair and business-friendly tourism environment. Until a full review of NIHOTOUR’s operations is completed, all enforcement activities are suspended,” the Minister said.
The suspension covers all NIHOTOUR enforcement activities, including compliance raids and field inspections, the issuance of fines, sanctions, and demand notices, licensing enforcement, and any operations involving police or private security personnel.
The Ministry stressed that it remains the statutory authority over NIHOTOUR and promised that future regulatory measures will be rooted in law, transparency, and consultation with industry stakeholders. A multi-stakeholder engagement will soon clarify grey areas in NIHOTOUR’s Establishment Act to prevent future disruptions.
This move signaled a push by the government to balance regulation with industry growth, ensuring tourism operators are protected from arbitrary enforcement.