FTAN Tourism Law Committee submits report: President promises to engage DGs for a way forward.

The Committee set up by the President of FTAN, Mr. Nkereuwem Onung, to review and analyze the two tourisn laws of the Nigeria Tourism Development Authority, NTDA and the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, NIHOTOUR, submitted their report today at the national secretariat of the Federation. The two laws were enacted by the outgone president of Nigeria, Rtd. General Mohammadu Buhari, for the regulation of the travel, tourism, and hospitality industry in Nigeria. The committee was mandated to critically analysis and make recommendations to foster a robust synergy between the government and the private sector.

The committee was headed by Mrs. Susan Akporiaye, the President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agents, NANTA. Other members include Mrs. Justina Ovat (Secretary), Prof Wasiu Babalola, Dr. Belinda Nwosu, Dr. Alex Nwuba, Prince Ayo Arokoyo, Mr. Samson Aturu, Chief Abiodun Odusanwo, and Dr. Kabir Ali.

According to the Secretary of the Committee, Mrs. Justina Ovat, the report is rooted in meticulous research, robust analysis, and consultations with critical stakeholders across the industry. She noted that, the committee recognized the immense responsibility placed upon them to evaluate the impact of these legal reforms on the tourism ecosystem.

Presentation of report to the President of FTAN, Mr. Nkereuwem Onung

Justina Ovat iterated that the primary objective of the report is to provide the government with comments, inputs, analysis, and recommendations of the repealed and enacted laws, offering insights into the benefits, opportunities for both the private sector and government cooperation, the areas of growth through collaboration, potential conflicts, the role of relevant private sector agencies, and strategic recommendations to enhance the country's position in promoting tourism.

Presenting the report at the Federation’s National Secretariat in Abuja, the chairman of the committee, Mrs. Susan Akporiaye, thanked the president, Mr. Nkereuwem Onung, on behalf of the team, for giving them the opportunity to contribute their quota to the industry. She added that the report will serve as a valuable resource and guide in the tourism industry in Nigeria because the committee delved into the intricacies of the repealed Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation Act, examining its provisions and objectives, and juxtaposed them with the provisions and objectives of the newly enacted Nigeria Tourism Development Authority Act, 2022. The committee also assessed the significance of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Establishment Act in shaping the future of the industry.

Reacting to the presentation, Mr. Onung thanked the chairman and her team for their contributions to the Federation and the entire industry. He emphasized that FTAN is not against the two laws and that the committee was only tasked to identify the areas of conflict so as to engage the MDAs involved and agree on how it will help the entire industry.

Lending his voice, the 1st Deputy President of FTAN, Alh Badaki Aliyu, thanked the committee for a job well done, noting that the document will go a long way in creating an interface between the private sector and government which will result in a robust relationship. This, he said, is good for the industry. 

FTAN Secretariat