Truth must be told at all times, no matter how uncomfortable it may be. I have never shied away from taking a firm stance on sectoral matters, especially when the tourism industry finds itself at a critical crossroads. Today is no different.
I woke up on the right side of my bed, fully conscious of the weight of my words, and I stand by them. So, let me ask bluntly: Should Abidoye Fagade, the DG of NIHOTOUR, be stoned for the institute’s change in role?
Since the announcement that the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism will now function as a regulatory body rather than a training institution, the tourism sector has erupted in chaos. The backlash has been swift and fierce, with many industry practitioners directing their anger at Fagade, accusing him of orchestrating this drastic shift.
But let’s be clear: Fagade is not the architect of this change. The transformation of NIHOTOUR’s role did not originate with Fagade. It is the direct result of a law passed in 2023, long before he assumed office. The journey of this legislation dated back to 2016 when Chika Balogun was the DG of NIHOTOUR. The bill faced resistance at the time, with notable industry figures, including the current President of FTAN, Nkereuwem Onung, and Frank Meke, opposing it.
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I Wale Ojo-Lanre supported the bill and even defended it during the public hearing of the two bills at the Senate. I was the only journalist who defended both Bills: NIHOTOUR and NTDA bills.
Despite initial setbacks, the bill resurfaced and was eventually signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023. By the time Fagade arrived at NIHOTOUR, the law was already in place. His role? Simply to implement what had been enacted.
So, if anyone deserves to be held accountable, should it be Fagade or those who allowed the bill to pass without a formidable, unified opposition?
This situation exposes a fundamental flaw within the tourism industry: practitioners are often reactive rather than proactive.
Many only engage with policy matters when the effects hit them directly, rather than shaping the conversation from the outset.
Even worse, some tourism stakeholders prioritise personal alliances over national interests. They hero-worship DGs and political appointees when it serves their agenda, only to turn against them when policies no longer align with their expectations.
If the industry had spoken with one voice and taken a principled stand before this law was passed, would we be having this conversation today. For those who disagree with NIHOTOUR’s new role, the solution is not to crucify Fagade. Instead, there are only two logical courses of action:
Seek Legal Redress: If stakeholders believe this law is detrimental to the sector, they should challenge it in court.
Legislative Advocacy: A return to the National Assembly for a review or amendment of the law is possible, though it requires unity and strategic lobbying.
So, should Fagade be stoned? The answer is no. Unless, of course, we are willing to stone every practitioner who failed to act when it mattered most.
Rather than waste energy on misplaced outrage, the industry must learn from this episode. Tourism practitioners must engage early, act strategically, and prioritise the future over temporary alliances. That is the only way to prevent similar shocks in the future.
The law has been passed. The blame game will not change it. Only intelligent action will.
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