Lagos High Court Ruling Shields Hotels from NIHOTOUR Enforcement

A Lagos High Court ruling granted relief to hotel operators, shielding them from enforcement actions by the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR). Chief Samuel Alabi, President of the Hotels Owners and Managers Association of Lagos, stated that the association filed a suit in May 2026 claiming that NIHOTOUR's powers regarding certification, registration, and grading of personnel were invalid and ultra vires the constitution.

The judgment limits the regulatory authority of NIHOTOUR over the hospitality sector in Lagos. Samuel Alabi noted that while some of NIHOTOUR's powers as a training agency are valid, the specific sections dealing with certification and quality control were challenged.