This press release from the Institute of Hospitality addresses confusion caused by the FCT Administration's announcement to commence registration, licensing, and grading of tourism and hospitality establishments in Abuja. It summarizes the NTDA Act which gives the Authority power to accredit establishments nationally and calls for clarification on the roles of the FCT Administration and NTDA from the Ministers of FCT and Information/Culture/Tourism. It recommends sensitization of stakeholders by both bodies and collaboration between the NTDA and state agencies.

1. UK REGISTERED OFFICE:
Trinity Court, 34 West Street, Sutton,
Surrey SM1 1SH, UK.
Tel: +44 (0)20 8661 4900
Email: Info@instituteofhospitality.org
Web: www.instituteofhospitality.org
NIGERIA IREGIONAL OFFICE:
c/o Kots Catering Limited,
91 Oduduwa Creascent, GRA, Ikeja,
Lagos, Nigeria.
Tel: +234 (0) 3427811, 08121123456
Email: ih.uk.nigeria@gmail.com;
nigeriachair@instituteofhospitality.org
April 17, 2023
PRESS RELEASE REGARDING THE FCT ADMINISTRATION
COMMENCEMENTS OF REGISTRATION, LICENCING & GRADING OF
TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY ESTABLISHMENTS
1. Our attention has been drawn to the various news headlines between 6th April and 14th
April 2023 on the commencement of the registration and licencing of tourism and hospitality
establishments in Abuja by the FCT Administration under the leadership of Honorable
Minister of the FCT, Mohammed Musa Bello. This was contained in the text of the recently
organised tourism stakeholders sensitisation forum by Mrs Hadiza Kabir, the Mandate
Secretary of the FCT Administration (FCTA) Social Development Secretariat (SDS), whose
office has direct responsibilities as regards the exercise, having secured ministerial approval
to commence the registration and licensing of all tourism and hospitality establishments in
the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). She however pointed to the mandate for the exercise
emanating as incorporated under “the tourism legislation” and an unnamed “The Tourism
Act”, amplified by the ministerial approval/ authority to ensure the enforcement of the act.
2. We are also aware that in early February 2023, President Muhammadu Buhari appended
his signature to the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority Bill and Related Matters, 2022,
thereby repealing the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation Act, cap. N.137, laws of
the Federation of Nigeria 2004. With the new bill, the Nigerian Tourism Development
Authority is expected to develop and promote Nigeria as a travel and tourism destination by
encouraging people living in Nigeria to take their holiday in the country while encouraging
those abroad to visit Nigeria. By this, the new act is to discourage the culture of Nigerians
paying huge foreign currencies for tourism abroad. Although, S.32 of the NTDA Act
provides that the Authority shall accredit all hospitality and tourism establishments in all the
States of the Federation; the combined reading of S.32 - S.38 NTDA Act signifies that the
NTDA accreditation is voluntary and provided States partners with the NTDA on same.
However, the provisions of S.39 of the NTDA Act stipulating offences and penalties
signifies an import that makes the accreditation by the NTDA compulsory for all. The NTDA
is under the Honorable Minister in charge of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai
Muhammed.
3. It is pertinent at this point to summarise the positions of their Lordships in AG Lagos v
AG Federation (2013) 7 S.C (Pt. 1) 1 where the Supreme Court held that the Lagos State
House of Assembly is the body entitled – to the exclusion of any other legislative body – to
enact laws in the state in the field of tourism and with respect to registration, classification
and grading of all hospitality and tourism enterprise in Lagos State. It must be noted that the

2. NTDA Act did not mention registration, classification and grading; however, there cannot be
any accreditation without registration as one is a prerequisite to the other; thus insinuating
that the drafters of the NTDA Act were careful not to conflict the Supreme Court judgement
regarding registration of hospitality and tourism businesses; which is in this instant case,
within the purview of the FCT Administration.
4. As an internationally recognized Body with memberships in over 100 countries including
Nigeria with interests in the promotion of international best practices, we are pained by the
confusion created with none or little clarity on this registration exercise by the FCT
Administration and which government parastatal has the power to register hospitality and
tourism enterprises.
5. While recognizing the constitutional powers vested in both the Honorable Ministers of the
FCT and that of Information, Culture, and Tourism; and considering the many
misinformation in the marketplace since the news by the FCT Administration to commence
registration, classification, and grading; there is the need for the following clarifications to be
made in the interest of the industry, investors and its operators:
a) That the Honorable Minister of the FCT, Mohammed Musa Bello, and the
Honorable Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism; Alhaji Lai Muhammed
jointly reaffirm to stakeholders that:
i. the registration, classification, and grading of hospitality and tourism enterprises
within the FCT remains the exclusive functions of the FCT Administration.
ii. the accreditation by the NTDA as empowered under the NTDA Act is voluntary
but with its own advantages and benefits as stipulated under the Act; and
iii. the NTDA will continue to forge a partnership with the FCT Administration to
ensure only FCTA-registered tourism and hospitality enterprises will be
accredited by the Authority.
b) That the FCT Administration should sensitise the stakeholders on the tourism
legislation and “The Tourism Act” mentioned by Mrs Kabir during the tourism
stakeholders sensitisation forum.; and
c) That the NTDA, where in agreement with the above; should as a matter of policy
commence sensitisation of what its accreditation status meant with its accompanying
benefits and advantages within the FCT and other States of the Federation.
6. Other tourism and hospitality businesses in other States of the Federation outside the FCT
should also extend collaborative and engagement hands to their respective State tourism
agencies or ministries so as to limit anticipated misinformation that the NTDA Act might
cause.

3. 7. We appreciate the President & Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
President Muhammadu Buhari for appending his signature to the Nigerian Tourism
Development Authority Bill and Related Matters, 2022. Although the Act is not an end in
itself nonetheless, a means to an end, thus, requiring some fine tuning to meet international
best practices as expected of a developing nation as our; we humbly wish to support the
industry call for the creation of a separate Ministry for Tourism or Culture and Tourism.
There seems to still be enough time for the setting up of the Ministry before the end of your
tenure sir; and by so doing, you would have put in place the foundation for the incoming
administration to build upon towards the repositioning of our tourism and hospitality industry.
Signed:
Professor Wasiu Babalola, LLB, FIH
Professor of Hotel Management & Tourism
Chairman, Institute of Hospitality, UK - Nigeria Region
nigeriachair@instituteofhospitality.org
About the Institute of Hospitality:
The Institute of Hospitality (IoH) has evolved significantly since it was established in 1938.
Building upon a distinguished heritage, today we are proud to be the world’s leading, award-
winning, professional membership body for hospitality professionals around the globe.
As the voice of professionalism within the industry, and across the world, we are committed
to delivering continuing professional development and lifelong learning across our diverse
hospitality family. Our people are our inspiration, and we are passionate about supporting and
inspiring them to be the best that they can be. A team of professionals who live and breathe
hospitality and are dedicated to delivering excellence.
To develop our position as the world’s leading professional membership body for the
hospitality industry using our core AIR values, we will:
1. Provide relevant, accessible, and exciting professional membership services, personal
development, mentoring, accredited training and development education, and support to
every member, across the world to achieve their full professional potential.
2. Enable our hospitality colleagues to earn the professional recognition they deserve
whatever the stage in their career.
3. Help inspire and develop young people and educators to help ensure hospitality is seen as a
progressive career choice.
4. Provide a progressive, international, professional network, focused on sharing knowledge,
companionship, and a wider understanding of our diverse industry.

4. 5. Provide international member education and training organizations with access to our
learning resources and progress them through our progressive accreditation and endorsement
schemes.
6. Create a positive and memorable membership experience for every member, making
diversity and inclusivity an integral part of everything we do; and
Conserve, reuse, recycle, and be active participants in protecting our environment, among
others.