In a landmark move to reposition Nigeria’s tourism sector on the global stage, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) inaugurated the National Technical/Mirror Committee on Tourism and Related Services on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
The event attracted industry leaders, academics, policy makers, and stakeholders committed to driving excellence, innovation, and competitiveness in the tourism and hospitality sector.
At the well-attended inauguration, Professor Wasiu Babalola, distinguished hotelier, professor of hotel management and tourism at Atiba University, and Immediate Past Regional Chairman for Institute of Hospitality, UK-Nigeria, was unanimously elected as the Chairman of the Committee. In the same session, Mrs. Kehinde Daniel, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Kots Catering Ltd and Past Regional Chairperson of the Institute of Hospitality (UK–Nigeria), was elected as Vice Chairperson.
In his acceptance speech, Prof. Babalola expressed his appreciation for the confidence reposed in him and underscored the strategic importance of the committee’s work. “Every great nation is built on the standards it upholds. Today, we accept the call to raise the standards of Nigerian tourism, not just for ourselves, but for generations to come,” he said.
He pledged to provide inclusive and transparent leadership, ensuring that every member’s voice is heard and that the committee’s work results in sustainable transformation for the sector.
Professor Babalola, who has served in various leadership roles across professional associations, academia, and the private sector, including as Committee Member, ISO/TC228/WG 14 – 18 of the International Standards Organization (ISO) since February 2020, noted that tourism is a vital engine of economic growth, cultural preservation, and international image for Nigeria.
Babalola said “Our task on this committee is therefore a serious one—setting standards that will not only strengthen the quality of our services but also align them with global best practices”.
The Vice Chairperson, Mrs. Kehinde Daniel, also commended SON and her colleagues for the trust placed in her.
With her extensive background in catering, hospitality, and leadership through the Institute of Hospitality (UK–Nigeria), Mrs. Daniel pledged her commitment to work with the entire committee to achieve measurable progress.
She stressed the importance of collaboration and innovation in ensuring that Nigeria’s tourism industry becomes competitive globally while retaining its unique cultural identity.
The Director-General of SON, Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Nonso Okeke, who formally inaugurated the committee, emphasized that the work of the National Technical/Mirror Committee is not ceremonial but foundational.
“Without standards, there is no assurance. Without assurance, there is no confidence. And without confidence, there is no growth,” he remarked.
He called on members to identify industry gaps, participate fully in the development of standards, and champion their implementation across the sector.
He noted that tourism is more than leisure—it is a powerful driver of economic growth, cultural preservation, and national identity.
He emphasized that the committee must focus on developing and implementing practical standards that will elevate Nigeria’s service delivery to international benchmarks.
Key areas of focus include hotel classification, tour operator guidelines, cultural site management, customer service protocols, and travel safety.
According to Dr. Okeke, the committee’s work will support the Federal Government’s 8-point agenda by contributing to economic diversification, job creation, and global competitiveness.
He highlighted that SON will provide technical support, coordination, and recognition to ensure that the committee’s outputs are widely adopted both nationally and internationally.
The inauguration marked a major milestone for Nigeria’s tourism sector.
Members of the committee are expected to serve as ambassadors of quality, integrity, and innovation, ensuring that standards developed are implemented across hotels, tour operations, catering services, agency operations, and cultural sites, among others.
By creating a robust framework, the committee aims to attract greater investments, foster professionalism, and improve Nigeria’s reputation as a leading tourism destination.
