Justice Ishaq Bello (retd) has been appointed as Chairman of the newly inaugurated Hospitality, Tourism & Travel Tribunal, established by the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism to enforce standards and resolve disputes in Nigeria’s tourism sector.
In a statement on Wednesday, the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism announced the formal inauguration of the Hospitality, Tourism & Travel Tribunal in line with Section 40 (1) and (2) of the NIHOTOUR Establishment Act.
The statement was titled, “Hon Dr Justice Ishaq Usman Bello appointed as Chairman of Hospitality, Tourism & Travel Tribunal.”
It read in part, “The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) is pleased to announce the formal inauguration of the Hospitality, Tourism & Travel Tribunal in line with Section 40 (1) and (2) of the NIHOTOUR Establishment Act.
“The Tribunal has been constituted as a regulatory and adjudicatory body for resolving disputes, enforcing professional standards, and ensuring compliance across Nigeria’s hospitality, tourism, and travel sectors.
“Section 40 of the NIHOTOUR Act provides: There is established a body to be known as the Hospitality, Tourism and Travel Tribunal (in this Act referred to as ‘the Tribunal’) which shall be charged with the responsibility of adjudicating on matters relating to the regulation, practice, licensing, discipline, and standards within the Hospitality, Tourism and Travel industry.”
The statement noted that the tribunal shall consist of a chairman who shall be a retired Judge of a superior court of record in Nigeria and four other members drawn from relevant professional bodies in the industry.
It stated, “In accordance with this provision, Hon Dr.Justice Ishaq Usman Bello, retired Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory and a jurist of repute, has been appointed as Chairman of the Tribunal. With his impeccable record in judicial service and legal reform, Justice Bello brings deep integrity and authority to this pivotal role.
“Other distinguished members appointed to serve on the Tribunal include: Steve Ayorinde, former Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Lagos State, a renowned journalist, cultural advocate, and tourism policy expert; Bolaji Mustapha, President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies and Tourism Practitioners – a frontline industry voice with decades of professional advocacy; John Daniel Enemona, representative of the Chartered Institute of Hospitality, Tourism and Management of America, Abuja, is a strategic thinker and promoter of professional excellence in hospitality training and accreditation.
“The HTTT is mandated to serve as an independent forum for fair hearing, adjudication, and redress, dealing with professional misconduct, institutional grievances, licensing violations, and consumer complaints, thereby raising the bar of professionalism and accountability in the industry.”
Speaking on the development, the Director-General of NIHOTOUR, Dr Abisoye Fagade, said, “This marks a new chapter for the tourism industry in Nigeria. With the establishment of the Tribunal, we are institutionalising a culture of due process and accountability. Justice Bello and the other members of the HTTT represent the very best of legal and industry professionalism.”
The inauguration of the HTTT affirms NIHOTOUR’s commitment to ensuring that Nigeria’s tourism ecosystem is not only competitive but also credible, responsive, and fully aligned with international best practices.
