The Council of the Nigerian Hotel and Catering Institute (NHCI) has elevated Professor Wasiu Babalola as the Acting National President & Chairman of Council of the Institute subject to ratification and confirmation at the Institute’s upcoming Annual General Meeting later in the Year.
Professor Wasiu A. Babalola is a distinguished polymath with extensive expertise spanning hospitality and tourism management, forensic accounting and audit, accounting, law, marketing, strategic management, tax practices et al.
He is a Professor of Hotel Management & Tourism as well as the Chairperson of the National Technical / Mirror Committee on Tourism and Related Services. He holds dual PhDs in Hospitality Management and Forensic Accounting & Audit, alongside numerous academic qualifications across diverse disciplines.
A certified institutional and programme accreditor, certified national accountant, certified chartered forensic accountant, registered marketer, Cybersecurity and AI professional among others.
He bridges academia and industry with exceptional proficiency.
Professionally, he serves as Senior Vice President for Africa at Continent Worldwide Hotels, overseeing operations across multiple countries, and is the Principal Promoter and Vice Chairman at EcoSignature Hospitality Services Limited, a growing hospitality consulting brand.
He has also held key leadership roles, including Managing Director for West Africa at Swiss International Hotels & Resorts.
Widely recognized for his contributions, he has received several awards, including Nigeria Hotel Man of the Year and Top 100 Tourism Personality in Africa.
Beyond his career, he is a philanthropist and Rotarian, actively contributing to community development and leadership initiatives.
Prior to his new role, Professor Babalola was Honorary/Regional Chairman of the Institute of Hospitality, UK – Nigeria International Branch and was awarded Heart Of Hospitality for his roles in mentorship and manpower development. This makes him the 1st Africa to receive the award
Chairman, Education Committee of the NHCI; 3rd Vice President of the NHCI and 2nd Vice President of the NHCI.
Prof Babalola was Editor in Chief of the Institute’s Journal of Institutional Catering, Hospitality and Tourism Management
Chairman, AGM Planning Committee of the NHCI 2025 and 1st Vice President of the NHCI, among other Council positions at other professional platforms.
The Nigerian Hotel and Catering Institute (NHCI), established in 1975, is Nigeria’s foremost professional body for hospitality, catering and tourism.
NHCI promotes education, technical excellence and professional standards through continuous professional development, research via its Journal of Institutional Catering, Hospitality and Tourism Management (JICHTM), and industry advocacy. With members nationwide, the Institute is committed to building competence for sustainable growth in Nigeria’s hospitality sector.
