The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) has formally inaugurated the Hospitality, Tourism & Travel Tribunal (HTTT) and appointed Ishaq Bello, former chief judge of the federal capital territory (FCT), as its chairman.
In a statement on Wednesday, the institute said Bello’s appointment aligns with section 40 (1) and (2) of the NIHOTOUR Establishment Act.
“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,” the statement reads.
“Section 40 of the NIHOTOUR Act provides: (1) 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.
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“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.
“In accordance with this provision, Hon. Dr. Justice Ishaq Usman Bello, retired Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory and a jurist of repute, has been appointed as Chairman of the Tribunal. With his impeccable record in judicial service and legal reform, Justice Bello brings deep integrity and authority to this pivotal role.”
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).
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According to NIHOTOUR, the tribunal is expected to serve as an independent forum for fair hearing, adjudication, and redress, addressing professional misconduct, institutional grievances, licensing violations, and consumer complaints, and thereby raising standards of professionalism and accountability across the industry.
Commenting on the development, Abisoye Fagade, director of NIHOTOUR, described the HTTT as a milestone for the tourism sector in Nigeria.
“With the establishment of the Tribunal, we are institutionalising 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,” Fagade said.
The institute noted that the inauguration of the tribunal reaffirms its commitment to making Nigeria’s tourism ecosystem competitive, credible, responsive, and aligned with international best practices.
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