Lagos Court rules NIHOTOUR cannot regulate local hospitality personnel

A Federal High Court has ruled that the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) lacks the constitutional authority to regulate, register, or certify hospitality and tourism personnel operating entirely within Lagos State. The court declared certain provisions of the NIHOTOUR Establishment Act, 2022, unconstitutional in this context, affirming that the Lagos State Hotels Licensing Authority Law, 2010, governs tourism establishments in the state.

The Hospitality and Tourism Management Association of Lagos (HOMAL) successfully challenged the agency following a dispute over the 2022 Act. HOMAL President Chief Sam Alabi reported that the court ordered NIHOTOUR to refund payments made by association members during enforcement activities and awarded HOMAL ₦10 million.

According to HOMAL, the agency’s enforcement operations included invading and shutting down hotels, with some businesses reportedly reopening only after paying ₦2.5 million to a consultancy linked to NIHOTOUR. The association also alleged that one enforcement operation resulted in an injury that left a hotel staff member blinded.