NIHOTOUR inaugurates new, refurbished buildings in Lagos

The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) has inaugurated a newly built structure and a refurbished one-storey block at its Lagos zonal office as part of efforts to upgrade training facilities.

The projects include a hall, ICT room, offices and a training kitchen, in a one-storey block, as well as a building that was demolished and rebuilt from the scratch.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Director-General of NIHOTOUR, Dr Abisoye Fagade, said the condition of the facilities when he assumed office in 2024, was unfit for learning and staff productivity.

“The first time I entered here was two weeks after my resumption.

“I asked if human beings work here? I said we will do something about this place, and less than 10 months we achieved that,” he said.

According to Fagade, the projects were executed outside the agency’s budget, describing them as squeezing water out of stone.

He pledged to pursue a world-class training institute with modern facilities.

The traditional ruler of Odi Olowo, Oba Sikirulayi Williams, who inaugurated the buildings, commended the NIHOTOUR boss for making a difference within 10 months.

He urged the members of staff to give their best to the institute.

The traditional ruler of Ikate land, Oba Saheed Elegushi, said NIHOTOUR is taking a positive new direction under Fagade’s leadership.

Lagos Zonal Coordinator of the Institute, Chinyere Ibeabuchi, said the upgrades had turned around an environment that previously made learning difficult.