FTAN Urges SON to Suspend Tourism Standards Committees, Warns of International Repercussions
The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) has formally called on the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to immediately suspend all activities relating to the National Technical/Mirror Committee (TC/MC) on Tourism and Related Services, including the ongoing request for nominations into its sub-committees.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to the Director-General of SON, Dr Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, FTAN expressed deep concern over what it described as procedural breaches, lack of stakeholder inclusion, and actions capable of exposing Nigeria to international embarrassment and possible sanctions within global standards-setting bodies.
FTAN, the apex umbrella body for the organised private sector in tourism, warned that continuing with the nomination process while disputes remain unresolved could send the wrong signals to the international community and undermine Nigeria’s credibility in tourism-related standardisation.
Federation Directs Members to Boycott TC/MC Nominations
The Federation has also directed all its member associations to decline participation in, or submission of, nominations to the TC/MC, pending the resolution of outstanding issues with SON.
The directive was contained in a letter signed by FTAN President, Dr Aliyu Ajayi Badaki, titled “Re: Premature Call for Nominations into the TC/MC on Tourism and Related Services – A Breach of Trust and Procedural Lapses.”
According to FTAN, the recent circular issued by the TC/MC requesting nominations into sub-committees was “premature” and in direct violation of earlier assurances given by SON management.
FTAN recalled that following formal protests over the unilateral inauguration of the TC/MC, a meeting was held between the Federation and SON. That meeting, it said, ended inconclusively, with a clear commitment by SON to convene a follow-up session to address the grievances raised and harmonise stakeholder representation.
The Federation maintained that by proceeding with calls for nominations while the matter remains officially unresolved, SON had disregarded the agreed reconciliation process and undermined trust in the public–private partnership framework.
The Federation further raised serious concerns about the alleged failure to properly vet committee members before their admission, noting that Curriculum Vitae were not requested from nominees despite the technical nature of the assignment.
FTAN cited an instance in which a representative admitted into the main committee without submitting a CV allegedly nearly embarrassed Nigeria at the African Organization for Standardization (ARSO).
According to the Federation, the individual later declined to assume the chairmanship of the committee, citing a lack of interest in SON activities, and also failed to attend a critical standards validation meeting in Benin Republic in July last year, resulting in Nigeria losing its voice at that forum.
FTAN warned that a repeat of such lapses could have grave consequences for Nigeria’s standing in international standardisation processes.
The Federation also questioned the integrity and neutrality of the current TC/MC leadership, alleging conflicts of interest. FTAN claimed that the purported chairman occupies multiple roles as a lecturer, practitioner and operator within the industry, a situation it said undermines the principle of neutrality required for standards development.
It further expressed concern that the same individual had previously declined participation in TC/MC activities on the grounds that the assignment was voluntary and required sacrifice, making his current leadership role “baffling”.
Conditions for FTAN’s Return to the Committee
While emphasising that it does not seek to dictate the internal affairs of SON, FTAN said it has a responsibility as a critical stakeholder to ensure that standards governing the tourism industry are developed through credible, transparent and inclusive processes.
The Federation stated unequivocally that it would not participate in the TC/MC until certain conditions are met. These include the convening of the promised follow-up meeting, the dissolution and reconstitution of the TC/MC leadership to restore industry-wide confidence, and the appointment of a chairperson who has made significant contributions to the sector and is willing to selflessly volunteer, in line with the provisions of PPDNNS 5.7.1.1(c).
Pending the resolution of the matter, FTAN instructed its members not to submit any names, engage with the Google Form link circulated by the TC/MC, or respond directly to communications from SON on the issue. Instead, all such correspondence is to be forwarded to the FTAN Secretariat for documentation.
“The strength of our Federation lies in our ability to speak with one voice,” the letter stated, warning that premature participation would weaken the private sector’s bargaining power and jeopardise the long-term interests of Nigeria’s tourism industry.
Despite the standoff, FTAN reaffirmed its commitment to professional collaboration with SON, stressing that such engagement must be built on mutual respect and the recognition of the organised private sector as a primary stakeholder in the development of standards that directly affect tourism businesses in Nigeria.
