NIGERIAN TOURISM: NTDA to collaborate with ITPN in setting professional standard, training of personnel

Nigeria Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) has pledged commitment to enthroning professionalism in Nigerian tourism sector, working in partnership with the Institute for Tourism Professionals of Nigeria (ITPN).

This renewed effort at professionalising and santising the sector was disclosed by Mr Ovie Esewhaye, Director overseeing the Office of the Director General of NTDA when he welcomed the ITPN team on courtesy visit to his Abuja office.

According to Esewhaye, “At NTDA, we are repositioned for effective performance through strategic collaborations. We are open to partnerships that enhance the capabilities of our workforce. I pledge that all NTDA directors will be enrolled as members of the Institute and we will ensure our staff benefit from the various training programmes offered by ITPN.’’

He further revealed that NTDA is undergoing a digital transformation and working towards ISO certifications to improve operational efficiency. “We want to be a benchmark for tourism standards in Africa,” he said.

Esewhaye reaffirmed NTDA’s commitment to the National Tourism and Transportation Summit organised yearly by ITPN, and expressed willingness to participate in its upcoming edition.

The NTDA acting head also accepted ITPN’s invitation to participate in the Abuja Tourism Roundtable scheduled for July 2025. This is as he disclosed, “As long as it has to do with promoting tourism, we will be there.”

 

 

 

ITPN delegation led by Mrs Fatimah Obadaki, Chairperson, FCT Chapter, emphasised the need for structured collaboration aimed at equipping tourism personnel with industry-relevant skills and enhancing service standards across the sector.

She highlighted that the visit was rooted in the Institute’s mission to foster partnerships that promote high standards of service delivery and human capital development in the Nigerian tourism and hospitality sectors.

Speaking also, Dr Taiwo Olaleye Famogbiyole, Registrar, ITPN, noted the pressing need to bridge the skill gap between academic knowledge and industry requirements. “The knowledge our graduates bring into the industry is no longer sufficient. We must adopt industry-recognised training programmes to align university education with practical industry expectations. As an awarding body within the hospitality, travel, and allied trades ecosystem, we see a vital need to professionalise the sector,” Famogbiyole stated.

He called for collaboration with NTDA in training staff in tour operations, tour guiding services and destination management. He proposed that NTDA staff be enrolled as members of the institute and benefit from its tailored training programmes.

Famogbiyole also commended NTDA for its unwavering support of the National Tourism and Transportation Summit (NTTS). “NTDA has been a consistent and invaluable partner in the success of the NTTS over the years,” he noted.

The visit marked a significant step in strengthening institutional ties aimed at enhancing professionalism and capacity within Nigeria’s tourism sector.