Runsewe asks for truce as owners of Hotel and Nihotour Fight or …

● urges the collaboration of the public-private sectors

By Justina Okpanku in Lagos

The former leader of the culture of Nigeria and general manager of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) Ora Ntda, Otunba Olusgegun RunseWe intervened in the comparison between the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism) and the owners of Hotel in the country on
Regulatory policy by (Nihotour).

It is believed that the 2O22 establishment Act of Nihotour has disappeared the tourist industry.

Not a few tourism stakeholders in the country condemned the bitter feud between the owners of Nihotour and the hotels in the country for the establishment of the Nihotour law of 2022 in relation to the regulation and standardization of operations and staff in the tourism sector.

But the crisis is increasing.

The crisis broke out a few weeks ago following the strong attempt by the management of Nihotour during its hotel recording and the exercise of conformity to Lagos which was presumably characterized by commercial interruptions and possession of the hotel members of the hotel in some of the hotels visited by the Nihotour conformity team that was accompanied by a policeman of policemen.

According to reports, a member of the staff of the Federal Palace Hotel in Lagos was hit by the Nihotour team.

The victim who is afraid of having lost his sight is hospitalized.

Barely three months, right in December 2024, after President Tinubu appointed Dr. Abisoye Fagade, as general manager of Nihotour, Hell has not filed a contested woman.

Until recently, hotels in the country were not regulated by the Nihotour, but the new act brought to the training school.

The owners of Nihotour and hotels went back and forth.

To the appointment of Fagade who must have decided on the implementation of the Law on Nihotour 2O22 institution, quickly announced that Nihotour had changed from a training institution to a regulatory institution (what his predecessor could not do).

The hotels and hospitality centers in the country kicked against Nihotour’s new move, having suspected that a new tax is coming.

Runsewe, therefore, has committed to mediating among all the parties involved and promoting dialogue and collaboration.

It is important that Runsewe, who has been general manager of the NTDC for eight years, maintains a company of public-private sectors regular in the development of tourism.

At the moment, the tourism operators of the private sector have invited Nihotour to reverse his hotel recording program. One of them said they should stop for the fact that the act violates the existing laws of the earth and that it goes against the cereals of professional practice, in a letter dated 16 June 2025.
Commenting on the situation, the director of the inspection and application of Nihotour, the lawyer Chike Ukuekwe, urged practitioners and operators in the sector to avoid the aggressive and combative commitment when the officers of the law arrive in their premises for the exercise of conformity.

Ukuekwe also underlined the need for mutual understanding and a professional approach to application efforts.

Both sides are not willing to come to a round table.

Some operators from the tourism industry raised a sigh of relief and said “a Daniel came to judge” when
Runsewe has entered.

RunSewe, who had previously been general manager of the then Parastatal Main Tourism, the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation of the NTDC and, more recently, as general manager of the National Council for the Arts and Culture (NCAC), has a vast experience and strong links throughout the sector that position him to help resolve the current crisis, in particular the disconnected item, the private sector stakeers.

“I received calls from different actors in the sector that push me to intervene. At the beginning, I hesitated. But on a deeper reflection on the delicate balance between government policy and the interests of the private sector, I realized that it was necessary to act. During my years in the public service, I cultivated significant relationships with the leaders of the sector and I believe that now it is time to exploit those connections for the good of our tourism sector”, has established.

Runsewe underwent the importance of construction commitment and encouraged the parties interested in embracing dialogue rather than the division.

“We are all Nigerians. We have to see this situation from a collective point of view. The government exists to serve the people and the private sector must also be deliberated and strategic in expressing concerns. It is essential to avoid actions that inadvertently undermines the industry. I am already working with the key actors to find a peaceful and lasting solution.”

On the issue of regulatory supervision, Runsewe recognized the importance of standards and governance in alignment with best international practices.

However, he underlined that any regulatory initiative must be rooted in consultation, in mutual respect and collaboration.

He praised those who achieved him, appreciating their trust in his leadership style despite no longer had a position of the government.

As a committed and respected elderly patriot in the sector, Runsewet has affirmed its willingness to help peace broker and urged all the parties to cease the public confrontation that surround the regulatory efforts proposed by Nihotour.

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