Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa
By Frank Meke
I will not begrudge anyone overwhelmed by bitterness over the successful induction of industry professionals last week in Abuja by the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR). What remains remarkable is that Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, publicly swore an oath to protect and serve tourism and hospitality professionals in Nigeria. She stood up to be counted.
The Permanent Secretary, Abdulkarim Ozi Ibrahim, also willingly took the oath. No one held a gun to his head, nor was anyone forced into the process.
Industry elder and long-time leader of the Institute of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ITPN), Chief Abiodun Odunsanwo, was represented at the ceremony. Nigeria’s foremost tourism resort investor, Wanle Akinboboye, also took the oath of induction.
Likewise, Nigeria’s celebrated cultural tourism administrator and enigmatic figure, Segun Runsewe, accepted induction as a Fellow of NIHOTOUR through a representative. He gave his consent without hesitation.
President of the Nigeria Tourism Journalists Association, Okorie Uguru, also swore to uphold the expectations of the NIHOTOUR Act by promoting proper understanding and compliance within the tourism industry. He earned that recognition.
The elegant President of the National Association of Nigerian Tour Operators (NATOP), Mrs. Bolaji Mustapha, was visibly present as she was inducted as a Senior Member of NIHOTOUR.
Mustapha, who also serves as National Treasurer of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), remains one of the notable voices in the industry. Equally distinguished is Nkereuwem Onung, immediate past President of FTAN, Special Adviser on Culture to Umo Eno, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of NATOP. On that day, he was inducted as a Fellow of the institute and appointed Chairman of the Sector Skills Council.
Ironically, FTAN, in its shawarma-style statement, described some of us as “cronies” of the Director-General of NIHOTOUR, Abisoye Fagade. Interesting choice of words.
I often wonder about FTAN’s communication style. The organisation frequently struggles to express its position in clear and simple terms. More importantly, a body registered as a federation should understand the importance of communicating in a way that helps its independent member associations grasp how critical issues may affect their businesses positively or negatively.
The use of the word “cronies” got me thinking. According to historical references, the word derives from the Greek *khronios*, meaning a long-standing friend or companion. It was later popularised among students at Cambridge University in the 17th century to describe close associates before politicians later gave it negative political connotations associated with favouritism and patronage.
Ironically, FTAN itself is essentially a federation of associates, colleagues, and long-time friends within the tourism ecosystem. Yet, out of apparent bitterness, it labelled some of us “cronies” simply because we supported government efforts aimed at strengthening professionalism and ethical standards within the industry.
As industry practitioners and members of various associations, it is disappointing for FTAN’s leadership to imply that our support for what is fundamentally a national project amounts to a desperate search for power or personal gain.
Is Wanle Akinboboye seeking power? A man who has spent decades investing in and promoting tourism in Nigeria? Is Nkereuwem Onung seeking office because he accepted to serve Nigeria pro bono as Chairman of the Sector Skills Council? A respected tourism logistics expert, banker, and adviser to a state governor? These accusations are bewildering.
It is tragic that a federation founded on friendship, collaboration, and shared aspirations could turn against its own members. FTAN was created as an umbrella body where independent groups with common objectives could work together to make Nigeria a preferred cultural tourism destination. To suddenly reduce colleagues and professionals to “cronies” suggests a troubling belief that everyone is available for purchase or political manipulation.
Perhaps the current leadership of the federation has forgotten its own history. FTAN itself is, in many ways, “Cronies Incorporated” — and no pun is intended. Those of us who witnessed the birth and registration of the federation know that it was built on long-standing professional relationships and mutual respect among stakeholders.
Munzali Dantata, once a leader within FTAN and a member of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), became Director-General of NIHOTOUR on merit, not because he was anyone’s crony.
Similarly, Edem Duke, another former FTAN President, served as Minister of Tourism under former President Goodluck Jonathan. Whether one considers his tenure successful or not, he did not become minister because of cronyism.
Nura Kangiwa, who once served as FTAN North-West Vice President, also became Director-General of NIHOTOUR on merit. Ironically, the same NIHOTOUR Act introduced during his leadership is now being challenged by a section of the federation’s current leadership.
Now, let us examine the so-called “cronies” within the federation itself — the organisations applauded for allegedly boycotting the NIHOTOUR induction.
According to checks cited by critics, some associations within FTAN reportedly face registration and compliance concerns. Questions have been raised about the corporate status of organisations such as the Nigeria Hotels Association (NHA), Nigeria Autosports Association, Hotel and Personnel Services Employers Association, Hotel Owners Forum Abuja, Culture and Tourism Associations of Nigeria, Guild of Nigerian Dance Practitioners, and others.
While associations like NANTA and NATOP reportedly remain properly registered and recognised, critics argue that concerns over the status of some other member bodies justify calls for a broader audit of private sector tourism organisations and even a review of the election that produced the current FTAN leadership.
Ultimately, the bigger question remains: does this controversy not further justify the need to properly audit and strengthen private sector tourism associations in Nigeria?
