The Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) has commenced the nationwide verification and registration of tour operators across the country, in a renewed effort to sanitize the tourism sector and ensure compliance with operational standards.
The Director-General of the NTDA, Mr. Olayiwola Nurudeen Awakan, who announced the exercise in Abuja on Monday, said the move was aimed at promoting professionalism, curbing fraudulent practices, and enhancing Nigeria’s global image as a safe and reliable tourism destination.
>We are determined to ensure that only licensed and credible operators are allowed to conduct tourism business in Nigeria,” Nurudeen said. “Verification is part of our broader reform to standardize services and strengthen regulatory oversight.”
According to him, the commission’s verification teams have already been deployed to all six geopolitical zones to authenticate the operational status of registered tour firms and identify unlicensed operators.
He explained that the exercise would involve on-site inspections, documentation reviews, and evaluation of compliance with NTDA guidelines, including insurance coverage, qualified personnel, and safety standards.
Our goal is not to stifle businesses but to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s tourism industry,” Nurudeen noted. “This verification will help build public trust and create a level playing field for genuine operators.”
The NTDA boss urged all tour operators to cooperate fully with the commission’s officials and warned that defaulters risk suspension, delisting, or prosecution under the Tourism Act of 2022.
He added that the commission was collaborating with the Nigerian Police, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), and the Ministry of Information and National Orientation to ensure transparency and accountability in the process.
Industry stakeholders, including the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), have welcomed the exercise, describing it as a step toward professionalizing tourism operations and protecting consumers from exploitation.
This is long overdue,” said Mr. Nkereuwem Onung, FTAN President. “For too long, unregistered operators have tarnished the image of the sector. A proper verification exercise will restore order and attract investors.”
The verification is expected to last for six weeks, after which the NTDA will publish a new list of accredited tour operators on its official website.
