ANJET Conference: Matters Arising

The calls were stringent, and like a gentle breeze, only the spiritually discerning could feel and hear them.

Medical professionals will tell you that disinfectants are essential for treating wounds, but applying them to an open wound can cause pain. Truth, when spoken in an atmosphere free from hypocrisy, can be uncomfortable. Yet, honest conversations are necessary if we are to confront the challenges holding back Nigeria’s tourism industry.

One of the misconceptions we must address is the belief that individuals can independently drive the sector towards sustainable growth without strong institutions, adequate funding and effective collaboration. While individual contributions matter, the development of a competitive tourism industry requires coordinated efforts from government agencies, private operators, professional associations and other stakeholders.

Too often, we celebrate isolated achievements while institutional gaps and inadequate funding continue to undermine the sector. We sometimes mistake activity for progress, presenting isolated developments as evidence of broader industry growth without sufficiently examining their long-term impact.

Disagreements are inevitable in a sector as diverse as tourism. However, we must learn to accommodate differing opinions without allowing personal interests or professional rivalries to overshadow the collective objective of building a stronger industry.

The biblical accounts of Leah, Rachel and Joseph remind us that people can experience different circumstances and face different challenges despite sharing common origins. Joseph’s eventual rise to prominence, despite the betrayal he suffered from his brothers, also illustrates how circumstances can change in unexpected ways.

In the same vein, we must be careful not to judge the value of an individual’s contribution solely by popularity or the number of supporters behind a particular position. Constructive ideas deserve consideration on their merits, regardless of who presents them.

IMMIGRATION AS A TOURISM GAIN

At Friday’s ANJET conference on immigration, discussions centred on the potential for immigration services to contribute more significantly to national security, economic development and tourism growth.

Globally, immigration management has evolved beyond border control to include the facilitation of legitimate travel, trade, cultural exchange and investment. For a country seeking to strengthen its tourism industry, efficient and transparent immigration procedures can make a considerable difference to the experience of international visitors.

During the conference, industry stakeholders discussed developments in Nigeria’s travel facilitation processes, including the Visa on Arrival facility and passport acquisition procedures. These initiatives have the potential to improve access to the country, although their overall effectiveness should be assessed through measurable outcomes, including processing times, visitor arrivals and feedback from travellers.

Simplifying legitimate travel procedures can create opportunities for tour operators, travel agents, airlines, hospitality businesses and logistics providers. The benefits can also extend to rural communities whose cultural heritage, festivals and natural attractions have the potential to support local employment and enterprise.

However, improvements in access must be sustained. Administrative bottlenecks, inconsistent procedures and unnecessary restrictions could discourage visitors and investors, weakening the very tourism ambitions the country seeks to advance.

At the same time, immigration policies must address legitimate national security concerns. The challenge is to maintain effective border controls without creating unnecessary obstacles for genuine visitors, investors and skilled professionals.

This balance requires clear policies, efficient administration and regular engagement between government agencies and private-sector stakeholders.

Where disagreements arise over policy or regulation, litigation remains a legitimate avenue for seeking justice. Nevertheless, dialogue, negotiation and mediation can sometimes resolve disputes more quickly and preserve relationships that are important to the industry’s long-term development.

The objective should not be to discourage legal action where it is necessary, but to ensure that disagreements do not permanently undermine opportunities for cooperation and reform.

THE 2013 SUPREME COURT JUDGMENT

The 2013 Supreme Court judgment involving the Lagos State Government and issues relating to hospitality registration and tourism regulation remains an important reference point in discussions about Nigeria’s tourism governance.

The matter was revisited at the conference by Nkereuwem Onung, immediate past President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) and an established industry operator. He argued that the judgment had affected efforts to establish a more nationally coordinated framework for professional development and certification within the tourism sector.

The judgment raises important questions about the respective roles of federal and state authorities in regulating tourism-related activities. It also highlights the need for greater clarity in areas where overlapping responsibilities may create uncertainty for businesses and industry professionals.

There are aspects of the events surrounding the case that I may disclose in greater detail in the future.

I personally delivered a letter from the Federal Government to a law firm on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, seeking its representation on behalf of the government. From my recollection, funding constraints affecting tourism-related legal matters limited the possibility of a more robust response. These circumstances deserve consideration when examining the events surrounding the case.

Litigation is expensive, but so is the sustained investment required to develop tourism and its allied sectors. While questions may be raised about the handling of the case, a complete assessment should also consider the institutional and financial constraints that may have influenced the government’s response.

I recall sharing some of these concerns with Sally Mbanefo when she assumed office at the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC).

The operational challenges experienced by the NTDC, now the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), also deserve attention. In my view, institutional inconsistency and questions surrounding the continuity of tourism policies have contributed to the difficulties facing the sector. Addressing these issues requires a stronger commitment to long-term planning, adequate funding and measurable performance.

The 2013 Supreme Court judgment should therefore be considered within a broader discussion about tourism reform. One of the issues connected with the dispute concerned hotel grading and classification. More than a decade later, questions remain about the development and consistent implementation of comprehensive hospitality standards.

An effective classification framework can help improve service quality, strengthen consumer confidence and provide visitors with clearer expectations about accommodation standards. However, such a framework must be supported by appropriate legislation, adequate resources and effective cooperation between relevant authorities.

These concerns are particularly important in light of public anxieties about food safety and reported cases of food and beverage contamination. Regulatory institutions such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency have important roles to play, but effective consumer protection also depends on coordination, enforcement and accountability.

Similarly, immigration policies affecting foreign nationals working in aviation and hospitality must balance security requirements with the need to maintain operational efficiency. Excessively restrictive or inconsistently applied procedures could affect businesses, investment and Nigeria’s international reputation, while appropriate screening and enforcement remain essential to national security.

No individual operator or state government can independently resolve every security challenge confronting Nigeria. Cooperation between federal and state authorities, security agencies and private-sector stakeholders is therefore indispensable.

Such cooperation must extend beyond public statements. It requires clear responsibilities, consistent policies, adequate funding and practical mechanisms for addressing shared challenges.

Our industry must embrace a culture of give-and-take, where dialogue and mutual understanding complement the legitimate use of legal and regulatory institutions.

Judicial decisions and legislative frameworks can shape the direction of economic sectors for many years. Where genuine challenges arise, stakeholders should pursue appropriate legal and institutional channels to clarify responsibilities, address gaps and improve the effectiveness of existing arrangements.

The goal should be to strengthen institutions, promote economic competitiveness and create a regulatory environment that supports sustainable tourism development.

Government initiatives also deserve objective scrutiny. Where policies produce positive results, the industry should acknowledge them. Where shortcomings exist, stakeholders should identify them clearly and advocate practical improvements. Neither unquestioning support nor blanket condemnation provides a sufficient basis for meaningful reform.

We cannot afford to remain trapped in endless disagreements, behaving like crabs in a basket and pulling one another down instead of working towards shared objectives.

GANI ADAMS’ WARNING

Gani Adams, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland and a prominent promoter of Yoruba culture, warned at the ANJET conference that frequent verbal confrontations and public exchanges of accusations within the tourism industry could send negative signals to foreign visitors and Nigerians in the diaspora.

His warning deserves serious reflection.

Nigeria’s cultural heritage remains one of its most valuable tourism assets. However, promoting that heritage requires more than attractive destinations, festivals and cultural experiences. It also requires public confidence, professional cooperation and a stable environment in which tourism businesses can operate.

Disagreements will always arise, particularly where regulatory powers, professional interests and commercial opportunities intersect. The important question is how those disagreements are managed.

Stakeholders should insist on facts, reasoned arguments and constructive engagement rather than personal attacks. At the same time, calls for unity must not become an excuse to silence legitimate criticism or discourage stakeholders from questioning policies they believe are ineffective.

Nigeria belongs to all of us, and no individual or institution has a monopoly on wisdom.

The 2013 Supreme Court judgment should be examined through appropriate legal and institutional channels to determine whether further clarification, reform or improved coordination is required to address professional standards and regulatory fragmentation in the tourism sector.

Any such review must respect the authority of the courts and the applicable legal framework while recognising the need for clear, workable and consistent tourism regulations.

Every country has its own security and economic realities, and Nigeria is no exception. With carefully designed policies and cooperation among federal and state authorities, industry associations and private-sector operators, the country can strengthen its cultural tourism assets, improve investor confidence and enhance its attractiveness as a destination.

The task before us is not to win arguments at the expense of the industry. It is to build a tourism ecosystem in which institutions function effectively, professionals can thrive, businesses operate within clear rules, visitors feel welcome and Nigerians benefit economically and culturally from their heritage.

Achieving this requires accountability from government, responsibility from industry stakeholders and a willingness to consider differing perspectives in the pursuit of common goals.

That is the path to meaningful reform. And it is a journey we must undertake together.

Footnote: Coming Soon — How ANJET Took Back Its Rightful Place.