The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) has announced the formal inauguration of the Hospitality, Tourism & Travel Tribunal (HTTT) in line with Section 40 (1) and (2) of the NIHOTOUR Establishment Act, with Hon. Dr. Justice Ishaq Usman Bello appointed chairman.
Retired Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory is a jurist of repute. With his impeccable record in judicial service and legal reform, Justice Bello brings deep integrity and authority to this pivotal role.
The Tribunal has been constituted as a regulatory and adjudicatory body for resolving disputes, enforcing professional standards, and ensuring compliance across Nigeria’s hospitality, tourism, and travel sectors.
Section 40 of the NIHOTOUR Act provides: There is established a body to be known as the Hospitality, Tourism and Travel Tribunal (in this Act referred to as “the Tribunal”) which shall be charged with the responsibility of adjudicating on matters relating to the regulation, practice, licensing, discipline, and standards within the Hospitality, Tourism and Travel industry.
It further provides the Tribunal shall consist of a chairman who shall be a retired Judge of a superior court of record in Nigeria and four other members drawn from relevant professional bodies in the industry.
Other distinguished members appointed to serve on the Tribunal include: Hon. Steve Ayorinde, former Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Lagos State – a renowned journalist, cultural advocate, and tourism policy expert and Alhaja Bolaji Mustapha, President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies and Tourism Practitioners (NANTOP) – a frontline industry voice with decades of professional advocacy.
Also appointed to serve in the tribunal is Mr. John Daniel Enemona, representative of the Chartered Institute of Hospitality, Tourism and Management of America, Abuja (CIHTMA), is a strategic thinker and promoter of professional excellence in hospitality training and accreditation.
The HTTT is mandated to serve as an independent forum for fair hearing, adjudication, and redress, dealing with professional misconduct, institutional grievances, licensing violations, and consumer complaints, thereby raising the bar of professionalism and accountability in the industry.
Speaking on this development, the Director General of NIHOTOUR, Aare (Dr.) Abisoye Fagade noted: “This marks a new chapter for the tourism industry in Nigeria. With the establishment of the Tribunal, we are institutionalizing a culture of due process and accountability. Justice Bello and the other members of the HTTT represent the very best of legal and industry professionalism.”
The inauguration of the HTTT affirms NIHOTOUR’s commitment to ensuring that Nigeria’s tourism ecosystem is not only competitive but also credible, responsive, and fully aligned with international best practices.