Ishaq Bello takes over as chairman of hospitality industry tribunal

The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) has officially inaugurated the members of the Hospitality, Tourism and Travel Tribunal (HTTT).

According to a statement, the inauguration was held on Tuesday.

On July 9, NIHOTOUR named Ishaq Bello, former chief judge of the federal capital territory (FCT), as HTTT chairman.

Other members appointed to the tribunal include Steve Ayorinde, former commissioner for tourism, arts and culture in Lagos state; Bolaji Mustapha, president of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies and Tourism Practitioners (NANTOP); and John Enemona, representative of the Chartered Institute of Hospitality, Tourism and Management of America, Abuja (CHITMA).

In the statement, Hannatu Musawa, minister of arts, culture, and the creative economy, said the tribunal will clean up and elevate Nigeria’s tourism sector.

Musawa, who was represented by Ayodele Adebanjo at the inaugural ceremony of the tribunal on Tuesday, said the move by the NIHOTOUR is bold and necessary.

“The Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Tribunal is a bold expression of this administration’s resolve to clean up and elevate the tourism space,” she said.

“We stand firmly behind NIHOTOUR and its leadership in this visionary step.”

Muktar Mohammed, chairman of the house committee on tourism, who chaired the event, applauded the initiative as a turning point in efforts to promote quality, safety, and global best practices in the sector.

“The hospitality industry is a vital pillar of our national economy. However, for it to thrive sustainably, compliance with professional training and licensing standards must not be optional — it must be enforced,” he said.

“It will serve as a platform for transparency, fairness, and reform. It will ensure that hoteliers, operators, and institutions meet the required benchmarks set by NIHOTOUR and the federal ministry of tourism.

“This is not just about enforcement — it is about protecting the integrity of our industry, enhancing service delivery, and building a tourism sector we can all be proud of.”

Abisoye Fagade, director of NIHOTOUR, said the tribunal is central to the institute’s transformation from a training body into a regulatory authority.

“Our industry must operate on the foundation of competence, ethics, and standards,” he said.

“The tribunal gives us the authority to enforce discipline and safeguard the reputation of practitioners and the trust of the public.”

The institute said the tribunal will act as a regulatory and adjudicatory body to resolve disputes, enforce professional standards, and ensure compliance across the hospitality, tourism, and travel sectors.