The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism has started enforcing strict compliance with certification laws across Lagos hotels and hospitality businesses this week.
According to a statement released Thursday, the institute is visiting major hotels including Marriott Hotel Ikeja, Sheraton Lagos, Radisson Blu Victoria Island, and FourPoints by Sheraton to ensure they meet legal requirements.
Mrs. Mariam Inuwa, NIHOTOUR’s Director of Legal Services, explained: “This enforcement is based on our 2022 Establishment Act which gives us power to regulate the industry. All professionals and businesses must be properly certified to maintain standards.”
The law requires hotels, restaurants and tourism businesses to register with NIHOTOUR and get certified. Some big hotels like Marriott and Radisson Blu have already started the registration process after receiving warning notices.
“We sent official letters first before visiting,” Mrs. Inuwa said. “We’re happy some hotels are now complying. This will help improve service quality across Nigeria’s hospitality sector.”
The Federal Government sees tourism as key to national development under its Renewed Hope Agenda. NIHOTOUR says regulating the industry will make it more professional.
“We will keep working with hotels and other businesses to follow the law,” the institute promised in its statement.
The compliance checks will continue across Lagos and may extend to other states soon. Hotels that don’t register risk penalties under the law.
