The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) has formally admitted Professor Wasiu Babalola, a distinguished scholar cum hospitality and tourism industry leader, as an Associate of the Institute in recognizing his professional excellence, academic distinction, and contributions to the advancement of business, taxation, hospitality and tourism management in Nigeria.
Professor Babalola’s admission into the prestigious professional body marks yet another milestone in his illustrious career, reaffirming his commitment to continuous learning, multidisciplinary expertise, and national development through professional excellence.
A Professor of Hotel Management and Tourism at Atiba University Oyo, and the President and Chairman of Council of the Institute for Hospitality Accountants and Revenue Managers (IHArm).
Professor Babalola is widely respected for his transformational leadership and thought leadership in the fields of hospitality, tourism, law and policy, forensic accounting and audit, and executive education.
He also serves as the 1st National Vice President of the Nigeria Hotel and Catering Institute (NHCI) and is a Fellow and Council Member of key sectoral bodies such as the Association of Tourism and Hospitality Consultants of Nigeria (ATHCON), the Certified Board of Administrators of Nigeria (CBAN), the Institute of Hospitality, UK (Nigeria), and the Association of Tax Practitioners of Lagos (ATPL), among others.
With a formidable academic background spanning PhD degrees in Hospitality Management and Forensic Accounting & Audit; as well as Master’s degrees; including dual LL.M (Master of Laws) degrees, an MBA, and dual M.Sc degrees in Human Resource Management and Accounting, Professor Babalola has consistently exemplified the synergy between professional practice, management acumen, and academic rigor.
His induction into the CITN therefore represents a natural alignment with his expanding expertise in taxation, fiscal governance, and corporate governance and compliance.
In his remarks following the admission, Professor Babalola expressed gratitude to the Council of CITN for the honour, emphasizing the critical role of taxation in economic stability, wealth creation, and institutional accountability. In his words, “Taxation is a cornerstone of sustainable national development. As professionals and academics, our duty extends beyond compliance, it is to inspire a culture of fiscal responsibility and transparency that strengthens public trust and economic equity. I am deeply honoured to be admitted into the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, and I look forward to contributing my experience to this noble profession.”
Professor Babalola’s admission further amplifies his multi-talented and multi-discipline professional profile, reinforcing his advocacy for integrated knowledge systems; bridging hospitality, tourism, law, business management, human capital management, accounting and taxation as engines of economic reform and national transformation.
He is a Visiting Professor at many Universities both in Nigeria and overseas (including a Visiting Professor of Hospitality and Tourism Law).
Professor Babalola is the Chairperson of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) National Technical / Mirror Committee on Tourism and Related Services.
The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria started on February 4, 1982 as Association of Tax Administrators and Practitioners.
Thereafter, it transformed into Nigeria Institute of Taxation, which was formally launched on February 21, 1982 and statutorily recognized on May 6, 1987 as company Limited by Guarantee.
The Institute was chartered by the Federal Government of Nigeria by the enabling Act No. 76 of 1992 (now CITN Act, CAP C10, Vol. 2, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004) and was charged with the responsibility, among others, of determining what standards of knowledge and skills are to be attained by persons seeking to become professional Tax Practitioners or Administrators.
Professor Wasiu Babalola is a celebrated academic, hospitality and tourism professional, and policy advocate.
A renowned speaker at global conferences, he is also the Rotary Action Plan Champion for District 9111 (2025/2026) and has been instrumental in championing professional education, ethical leadership, and economic diversification through tourism and hospitality enterprises.
