NIHOTOUR, NBS Partner to Accelerate Growth in Nigeria’s Tourism Sector

202

In a landmark move designed to reshape the economic trajectory of Nigeria’s service sector, the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), on November 24, officially signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

This collaboration marks a turning point in the nation’s quest to establish a globally competitive, data-driven hospitality, travel, and tourism industry.

For decades, stakeholders in Nigeria’s tourism landscape have navigated a complex market without the compass of unified, reliable statistics. This lack of empirical data has historically hindered the government’s ability to formulate precise policies and limited the private sector’s capacity to forecast trends accurately. The new alliance between NIHOTOUR and the NBS aims to dismantle these barriers, ushering in an era of transparency and strategic planning.

The core objective of this partnership is to institutionalise statistical rigour within a sector that is increasingly vital to Nigeria’s economic diversification. As the country seeks to expand its revenue base beyond oil, the hospitality and tourism industries have emerged as critical engines for job creation, enterprise development, and cultural exchange.

Under the terms of the MOU, the two agencies will collaborate on comprehensive data collection and analysis covering a broad spectrum of industry activities. These include:

 Accommodation and Hospitality Services: Tracking occupancy rates and service standards.

 Transportation and Logistics: analysing tourist movement and infrastructure usage.

 Culinary and Cultural Tourism: Measuring the economic impact of festivals and food tourism.

 Workforce Trends: Identifying skill gaps and employment opportunities within the sector.

RELATED NEWS:

• NIHOTOUR, NANTA Partner to Mandate Professional Training for All Nigerian Travel Agents

• NIHOTOUR Establishes Panel to Sanction Violators in Tourism Sector

• NIHOTOUR, Oyo State Launch Joint Effort to Register Tourism Operators

The Director General of NIHOTOUR, Bisiye Fagade, described the partnership as the “backbone of meaningful progress”. By establishing a shared tourism intelligence system, the agencies will provide investors and development partners with the confidence needed to commit capital to Nigerian projects.

“With this MOU, we are paving the way for smarter investments, better training, and a more globally competitive tourism industry,” Fagade stated. “This aligns with national efforts to reposition tourism as a major source of non-oil revenue, strengthen professional training, and enhance Nigeria’s global brand appeal.”

Prince Semiu Adeyemi Adeniran, the statistician general and CEO of the NBS, emphasised the bureau’s commitment to applying the same high standards of data verification to tourism as to other critical sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing.

“This collaboration ensures that the hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors will now benefit from the same level of statistical rigour applied to other critical industries,” Adeniran remarked.

The partnership is set to yield immediate results. With high-traffic holiday seasons approaching, NIHOTOUR and NBS will begin tracking visitor flows, spending patterns, and destination popularity. This real-time intelligence will empower state governments, destination managers, and business operators to improve crowd management, optimise pricing strategies, and enhance service delivery.

Ultimately, this MOU catalyses professionalising the industry, ensuring that capacity-building initiatives and regulatory frameworks are grounded in global best practices and solid evidence rather than speculation.

Embark on a thrilling journey through Nigeria’s rich tourism, timeless traditions, and breathtaking landscapes. Our stories at Rex Clarke Adventures ignite wanderlust and celebrate Africa’s cultural heartbeat. Dive into our blog for unforgettable tales of discovery!

Share this journey, spark conversations, and join us in preserving Nigeria’s cultural legacy while showcasing its tourism treasures for generations to come.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) And Answers

What is the primary purpose of the MOU between NIHOTOUR and NBS?

The Memorandum of Understanding aims to create a unified system for collecting and analysing reliable data in Nigeria’s hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors. We will use this data to guide policy, attract investment, and improve industry standards.

Why is data collection essential for the Nigerian tourism sector?

Dependable data is crucial for planning and forecasting. It helps the government create better regulations, allows investors to identify profitable opportunities, and helps businesses understand market trends and consumer behaviour.

What specific areas of the industry will be tracked?

The collaboration will cover various sub-sectors, including accommodation, transportation, events, recreation, culinary tourism, destination activities, and workforce/employment trends.

How does this partnership support Nigeria’s economy?

By professionalising the sector with data, the partnership aims to boost non-oil revenue, create jobs, and make Nigeria a more competitive global destination, thereby contributing to overall national development.

Who benefits from this initiative?

The primary beneficiaries include government policymakers, private investors, tourism business operators, researchers, and development partners who need accurate benchmarks for decision-making.