Court Ruling Shields Lagos Hotels from NIHOTOUR’s Enforcement, Says HOMAL President

By Charles Ajunwa

President of Hotels Owners and Managers Association of Lagos (HOMAL), Chief Samuel Alabi, has described the recent judgement by a Lagos High Court that granted all the reliefs sought by the association against the harassment of National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR’s), as a good development for hotel operators.

Alabi, who disclosed this during a press conference in Lagos, alleged that after many unsuccessful attempts to stop NIHOTOUR’s harassment the association had no other option than to file action at the Federal High Court in Suit No:FHC/L/CS/906/2025 in May, 2026 where it claimed many remedial reliefs.

He said, “while some of the powers bestowed on NIHOTOUR are validly necessary for its operation as a training agency of federal government, nevertheless we considered all those aspects dealing with certification and registration of all employees, grading of personnel and quality of services rendered by hospitality, travel and tourism in Nigeria as invalid and ultra vires the constitution.

“Hence, in 2022, we drew the attention of those at the helm of affairs of NIHOTOUR then to avert plunging NIHOTOUR into a long drawn legal battle by refraining from those contentious and empire seeking sections.”

He further said, “On assumption of office of the current Director General of NIHOTOUR in late 2024, he embarked on ambitions implementation of sections of the NIHOTOUR Act kept in abeyance by his predecessor in office. He started by inviting Chief Executive of our association members to his office in Abuja with less than 48 hours notice. Due to the late notices served, none of our members’ representatives could attend the meeting. This action was later followed by another letter issued in March, 2025 demanding the immediate registration of our members’ Chief Executives and their Heads of Department.

“Based on proper legal advice, our association wrote a letter dated 10th March, 2026 to NIHOTOUR objecting to the demand made on our members’ business and their principal officers. NIHOTOUR ignored this letter and reinforced their enforcement machinery with their DG’s visits to Nigerian Immigration Service and the then Deputy Inspector General of Police with a view to securing their assistance to compel our members’ compliance.

“In view of non-cessation of harassment by NIHOTOUR we had no option left than to file action at the Federal High Court in Suit No: FHC/L/CS/906/2025 in May, 2026 claiming many remedial reliefs.

“Notwithstanding this court action, NIHOTOUR continued its violent enforcement of the law. Many of our members’ premises were invaded and closed, their businesses were only re-opened after payment of N2.5 million to company called “NIHOTOUR Training, Research and Consultancy”.

“On one of their outings, a staff of a member was injured with one of the eyes blinded. It took the court’s appropriate order to put a stop to the advance rampaging enforcement machinery of NIHOTOUR.”