The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) says it is exploring aspects of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria’s (COREN) regulatory framework as part of efforts to strengthen professionalism and advance reforms in the tourism sector.
FTAN President, Dr Aliyu Badaki, disclosed this during a visit by the federation and other tourism stakeholders to COREN headquarters in Abuja on Friday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visit formed part of FTAN’s ongoing Tourism Transformation Mandate (TTM), which seeks to reposition the sector through improved regulation, professional standards and institutional reforms.
Badaki said the federation was studying successful regulatory models to identify practices that could support the development of a more structured and professional tourism industry.
According to him, a clear separation of responsibilities among operators, trainers and regulators is essential for strengthening professionalism, improving service delivery and enhancing public confidence in the sector.
“We are here to collaborate and learn from COREN’s experience in regulating its profession and delivering benefits to practitioners and society.
“We believe that adopting best practices from established regulatory institutions will help us build a stronger framework for the tourism industry,” he said.
Responding, the President of COREN, Mr Sadiq Abubakar, commended the tourism stakeholders for seeking lessons from established institutions to guide reforms in their sector.
Abubakar said COREN’s regulatory framework had evolved over several decades and gained international recognition for regulating engineers, technologists, technicians, craftsmen and artisans under a unified system.
He said the council’s mandate covers engineering education, professional development and engineering practice, with a focus on safeguarding lives, property and critical infrastructure.
According to him, effective regulation depends on a clear distinction between regulators and professional associations, backed by collaboration among stakeholders.
He added that COREN works closely with engineering associations nationwide to support monitoring, enforcement and professional development initiatives.
Also speaking, COREN Registrar, Okorie Uche, said the council was willing to share experiences that could assist tourism stakeholders in developing an effective regulatory framework.
Uche said strong institutions, clearly defined roles and cooperation among stakeholders remained critical to successful regulation in any sector.
In her remarks, the Secretary-General of the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN), Mrs Julie Tongrit, described the engagement as timely and beneficial to ongoing discussions on tourism sector reforms.
Tongrit, who represented ATPN Acting President, Ayodele Arokoyo, said the interaction underscored the importance of broad stakeholder consultations and a gradual approach to regulatory reform.
She urged tourism stakeholders to work collectively towards establishing a framework that would promote professionalism, enhance service standards and support sustainable development in the industry.
NAN reports that participants at the meeting noted the initiative as a major step towards strengthening institutional capacity and advancing reforms aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s tourism sector.
