FTAN Cautions Members on NIHOTOUR’s Competency-based Interview, Registration Exercise

Light Nwobodo

The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) has cautioned its member-associations not to take part in the ongoing Competency-based Interview (CBI) and Registration Exercise being conducted by the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), noting that the exercise was not in conformity with the law and directive of the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa.

This was contained in a letter of advisory by the Federation, which is the umbrella body for all tourism operators and associations in the private sector, to all its member-associations, following an earlier letter on the subject by NIHOTOUR’s Director General, Dr. Abisoye Fagade, to some Presidents of the Federation’s member-associations, requesting them to be part of the exercise, which commenced May 5, 2026, through a letter dated April 30, 2026 and titled: “Letter of award of pro-bono registration by the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism for certification and licencing.”

However, in the advisory letter dated May 5, 2026, titled ‘FTAN advisory on NIHOTOUR Competency-Based Interview and Registration’, signed by the National President of FTAN, Dr. Aliyu Ajayi Badaki, the Federation, among others, stated grounds of its objection to the exercise.

The letter read in part: ‘‘You will recall that the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy has directed NIHOTOUR to engage relevant stakeholders, particularly the organised private sector, in resolving the numerous concerns and controversies surrounding the provisions and implementation of its enabling law.

‘‘It is, therefore, a matter of concern that NIHOTOUR has proceeded to initiate and implement this registration and certification process without concluding the required stakeholder engagement and consensus-building process as mandated by the ministry.

‘‘In view of the foregoing, and in the collective interest of protecting the integrity, rights, and unified position of the private sector, all member associations under FTAN are hereby strongly advised not to participate in, or be part of, the ongoing NIHOTOUR registration, certification, and Competency-Based Interview (CBI) exercise.’’