Nigeria's tourism industry has been locked in regulatory turmoil for months, with stubborn disagreements over new laws threatening to cripple private sector operators. The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) has repeatedly flagged problems with the rules, but implementation marches ahead regardless.
Two pieces of legislation are at the heart of the crisis: the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) Act and the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) Act. Both laws were designed to reform a sector that desperately needed it, yet they've created the opposite effect.
The private sector wasn't properly consulted before these laws took effect. Badaki Aliyu, president of FTAN, told reporters at a media briefing in Lagos that the industry raised serious concerns with government agencies months ago, but officials pushed ahead with implementation anyway.
"The existing laws have created regulatory overlaps, uncertainty and avoidable conflicts within the industry," Aliyu said at the event held at Presken Hotel, Ikeja.
The NIHOTOUR Act 2022 has sparked unprecedented disputes and litigation since rolling out. Aliyu explained that the legal framework fails to clearly separate what government agencies should do from what industry players should handle.
Business operators have suffered real damage. The confusion generated by the controversial Act has disrupted operations and deepened rifts within the sector, according to Aliyu, a PhD holder.
Making matters worse, some industry insiders have sided with government agencies rather than defending private operators' interests. This has further muddied an already murky situation.
Aliyu called on the federal government to take the laws back to the National Assembly for a thorough overhaul. He stressed that this step is essential given the mounting controversies.
The FTAN leader noted that the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy has repeatedly asked for a pause on enforcement. Those directives, he said, have often been ignored by implementing agencies.
Aliyu urged the government to align any reforms with President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda. He wants swift action on the legislative review to bring peace to the troubled sector.
FTAN used the media briefing to also showcase achievements from its first year leading the federation. The leadership detailed wins across multiple fronts as it pushes for industry stability.
The economic climate makes the timing even more urgent. With Nigeria's cost of living crisis biting hard, tourism businesses can't afford prolonged uncertainty from government rules.
Aliyu's message was clear: fix these laws now, or watch the industry fracture further. The ball, he said, rests firmly in government's court.
