Runsewe calls for truce as hotel owners and NIHOTOUR fight over Govt policy

● Urges public-private sectors collaboration

By Justina Okpanku in Lagos

Nigeria’s former culture chief and Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) now NTDA, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe has intervened in the face-off between the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) and hotel owners in the country over
regulatory policy by the (NIHOTOUR).

The NIHOTOUR’s 2O22 Establishment Act is believed to have set the tourism industry in disarray.

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Not a few tourism stakeholders in the country have condemned the bitter public feud between the NIHOTOUR and hotel owners in the country over the establishment of NIHOTOUR’s Act of 2022 in respect of regulation and standardisation of the operations and personnel in the tourism sector.

But the crisis is escalating.

Crisis erupted a few weeks ago following the forceful attempt by the management of NIHOTOUR during its hotel registration and compliance exercise in Lagos which was allegedly characterised by business disruption and detention of hotel staff members in some of the hotels visited by the compliance team of NIHOTOUR said to have been accompanied by a truckload of policemen.

A Federal Palace Hotel staff member in Lagos was reportedly battered by the NIHOTOUR team.

The victim who is feared to have lost his sight is hospitalised.

Barely three months, precisely December 2024, after President Tinubu appointed Aare Dr. Abisoye Fagade, as the Director General of NIHOTOUR, hell has no fury than a woman scorned.

Until recently, hotels in the country weren’t regulated by the NIHOTOUR, but the new Act has brought in the training school into the picture.

NIHOTOUR and hotel owners have been going back and forth.

On appointment of Fagade who must have set his mind on implementing NIHOTOUR”s 2O22 Establishment Act, he quickly announced that NIHOTOUR had changed from a training institute to a regulatory institution (what his predecessor couldn’t do).

Hotels and hospitality centres in the country kicked against the new move by NIHOTOUR, having suspected that new tax is coming.

Runsewe, therefore, pledged to mediate between all parties involved and promote dialogue and collaboration.

It’s important that Runsewe, who was the Director General of the NTDC for eight years, maintained a smooth public-private sectors partnership in tourism development.

At present, the organised private sector tourism operators have called on NIHOTOUR to reverse its hotel registration programme. One of them said they should stop on the ground that the Act contravenes the extant laws of the land and that it goes against the grains of professional practice, in a letter dated June 16, 2025.
Commenting on the situation, NIHOTOUR’s Director of Inspection and Enforcement, Barrister Chike Ukuekwe, urged practitioners and operators in the industry to shun aggressive and combative engagement when officers of the law arrive at their premises for compliance exercise.

Ukuekwe also stressed the need for mutual understanding and a professional approach to enforcement efforts.

Both parties are not willing to come to a round table.

Some tourism industry operators heaved a sigh of relief and said “a Daniel has come to judgement” when
Runsewe stepped in.

Runsewe who previously served as Director General of the then leading tourism parastatal, the NTDC Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation and more recently as Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), has wealth of experience and strong ties across the sector that position him to help resolve the current crisis, particularly the discontented voice, private sector stakeholders.

“I have received calls from several industry players urging me to step in. At first, I hesitated. But upon deeper reflection on the delicate balance between government policy and private sector interests, I realised it was necessary to act. During my years in public service, I cultivated meaningful relationships with industry leaders, and I believe now is the time to harness those connections for the good of our tourism industry,” he stated.

Runsewe emphasised the importance of constructive engagement and encouraged stakeholders to embrace dialogue rather than division.

“We are all Nigerians. We must view this situation from a collective standpoint. The government exists to serve the people, and the private sector must also be deliberate and strategic in expressing concerns. It is vital to avoid actions that may inadvertently undermine the industry. I am already engaging with key actors to find a peaceful and lasting solution.”

On the issue of regulatory oversight, Runsewe acknowledged the importance of standards and governance in aligning with international best practices.

However, he stressed that any regulatory initiative must be rooted in consultation, mutual respect, and collaboration.

He commended those who reached out to him, appreciating their trust in his leadership style despite no longer holding a government position.

As a committed patriot and respected elder in the industry, Runsewe affirmed his readiness to help broker peace and urged all parties to cease the public confrontation surrounding NIHOTOUR’s proposed regulatory efforts.