Hotel owners reject multiple registrations, lament tax burden

By Rauf Oyewole

The Nigeria Hotel Association (NHA) has rejected the alleged introduction of registration by the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), saying that the body lacks the constitutional backing to register hotels in the country.

The National President of NHA, Dr. Patrick Anyanwu during an interaction with the press in Bauchi on Wednesday, cautioned the Federal Government against needless regulation. According to him, “by law, hotel registration is under the mandate of the Nigeria Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), not NIHOTOUR.”

Anyanwu commended the Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa for suspending the planned registration. Saying that the suspension is “a huge relief and a step toward solving the confusion and pressure this matter has caused hotel owners nationwide,” Anyanwu said. 

The President acknowledged the support of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) led by Alhaji Dr. Badaki Aliyu, noting that the umbrella body played a key role in engaging the Minister on the matter.

Anyanwu stressed that the association supports training and certification initiatives but insisted they must be done transparently and with full consultation of stakeholders.

He raised concerns about multiple taxation affecting hotel operators, calling on the government to address the issue urgently. “Up till today, our members are suffering multiple taxations. The government should do something about it. My members are bitterly complaining,” he said.

The NHA President also commended the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tourism for pledging legislative support to protect hoteliers’ rights and create a more enabling environment for the sector.