NCAA, NIHOTOUR Forge Partnership to Streamline Mandates, Strengthen Sectoral Regulation
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has pledged to work closely with the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) to establish a harmonised regulatory framework that will clearly define the mandates of both institutions and prevent jurisdictional overlaps.
The pledge was made by the Director General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, when he received the Director General of NIHOTOUR, Aare (Dr.) Fagade Abisoye, and his delegation on a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja.
Capt. Najomo noted that while both agencies contribute significantly to Nigeria’s development, there was an urgent need to streamline their roles to avoid duplication and conflict.
He proposed the formation of a joint technical committee that would review the enabling Acts and operational regulations of the two agencies.
“Our aim is to ensure that our institutions complement each other rather than work at cross purposes. By setting up this committee, we can create a regulatory environment that is both efficient and sustainable,” Najomo stated.
On his part, Dr. Abisoye underscored the importance of collaboration between the aviation and tourism sectors, emphasising that tourism cannot thrive without strong aviation support.
He called for the partnership to be formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that would provide a legal framework for cooperation and minimise the risk of role encroachment.
Both parties agreed that the committee, which will comprise representatives from the two institutions, would be tasked with producing concrete recommendations within three months.
The findings are expected to serve as the basis for a redefined regulatory framework that enhances synergy between NCAA and NIHOTOUR.
The move is widely seen as a strategic step towards fostering greater alignment between Nigeria’s aviation and tourism industries, both of which are regarded as critical drivers of economic diversification and growth.
