A former Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory, Justice Ishaq Bello, has been appointed chairman of the newly established Hospitality, Travel and Tourism Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal.
Bello was inaugurated alongside other members by the Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, Dr Abisoye Fagade, in Abuja.
The tribunal is tasked with enforcing ethical standards, ensuring compliance with licensing regulations, and promoting professionalism across the hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors.
Justice Bello is expected to bring his wealth of experience in legal reform and judicial administration to bear in the institute’s latest regulatory drive.
Speaking during the inauguration, Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, represented by Mr Ayodele Adebanjo, described the tribunal as a “bold and necessary move to clean up and elevate the tourism space.”
Fagade, in his remarks, said the establishment of the tribunal was in line with NIHOTOUR’s broader transformation agenda from a training centre into a full regulatory authority for the industry.
“Our industry must operate on the foundation of competence, ethics, and standards. The tribunal gives us the authority to enforce discipline and safeguard the reputation of practitioners, as well as the trust of the public,” he said.
He added that the tribunal would investigate and adjudicate cases involving professional misconduct, licensing infractions, and ethical violations by individuals and institutions operating in the sector.
“It is designed to collaborate with stakeholders across both public and private sectors to raise the bar of service delivery and uphold the integrity of the industry.
“With this inauguration, Nigeria takes a significant step toward institutionalising accountability and professionalism, positioning the country to meet global expectations,” Fagade stated.
Also speaking, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Tourism, Muktar Mohammed, described the tribunal 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. But for it to thrive sustainably, compliance with professional training and licensing standards must be non-negotiable,” he said.
