Association Of Hospitality And Tourism Consultants In Nigeria (ATHCON) Inducts Fellows And Members, Elects PRO
▪︎ Dignitaries, ATHCON Council members pose with new Fellows and Members
Hospitality and Tourism industry leaders, policymakers, consultants, and tourism professionals have emphasized the importance of professionalism, strategic partnerships, manpower development, and innovation as critical drivers for sustainable growth in Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality sector.
The call was made during the 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM), Conference, and Induction Ceremony of the Association of Hospitality and Tourism Consultants in Nigeria (ATHCON), held at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel and Towers.Demographics
Considered the peak of the elite gathering of Nigerians and foreign professionals in the hospitality and tourism industry, The Association of Hospitality and Tourism Consultants also popular known as ATHCON, rolled out its conference, themed “Resolving Inefficiency Through Strategic Synergy and Manpower Optimisation: The Case for Management Consultation.”
The event brought together key stakeholders from across the country, including the President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Dr. Aliyu Ajayi Badaki; the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Dr. Olayiwola Awakan; members of ATHCON; government officials; and private sector operators.
In his welcome address, ATHCON President, Pastor Olatunde Olaitan Oluloye, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to promoting professionalism, industry standards, knowledge sharing, and collaboration between the public and private sectors.
According to Oluloye, sustainable profitability in the hospitality industry depends largely on investments in human capital.
“Buildings and technology create the platform for service delivery, but it is skilled, motivated, and well-supported personnel who transform these assets into value,” he said, stressing the need for continuous investment in training, professional development, employee engagement, and staff welfare.
The NTDA Director-General, Dr. Olayiwola Awakan, commended ATHCON for its commitment to advancing professionalism and capacity development within the tourism ecosystem. He noted that sustainable tourism growth can only be achieved through collaboration, innovation, and a highly skilled workforce.
Awakan urged stakeholders to strengthen partnerships, build institutional capacities, and embrace innovative approaches capable of improving service delivery, creating jobs, and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness as a tourism destination.
Similarly, FTAN President Dr. Aliyu Ajayi Badaki emphasized that innovation, collaboration, strategic planning, and effective utilization of human capital are essential for long-term industry growth.
He noted that inefficiency remains one of the major barriers to competitiveness and investment attraction, adding that stronger institutional frameworks and professional management consulting services are needed to improve operational efficiency and organizational performance.
The Acting President and Chairman of the Council of the Nigerian Hotel and Catering Institute (NHCI), Professor Wasiu Babalola, highlighted the operational challenges confronting hospitality businesses, including waste, disjointed processes, and underutilized manpower.
He described management consultancy as a strategic investment rather than a cost, stating that it helps organizations unlock productivity, reduce waste, and improve service standards.
Babalola also pledged NHCI’s commitment to collaborating with ATHCON in research, manpower development, and policy advocacy aimed at strengthening the hospitality workforce.
A major highlight of the conference was the keynote presentation delivered on behalf of the late NHCI President, Kayode Victor, by FTAN Second Vice President, Mrs. Justina Ovat.
The presentation challenged prevailing assumptions within the industry and stressed that profitability does not automatically translate to operational efficiency.
According to the keynote paper, hospitality consultants play a vital role in identifying inefficiencies, optimizing resources, improving operational systems, and delivering sustainable returns on investment through strategic interventions and process improvements.
The conference concluded with a presentation by ATHCON Deputy President, Adedayo Adesugba, who urged consultants and industry stakeholders to take advantage of emerging opportunities within the sector and work collectively toward a more sustainable future.
Adesugba emphasized that consultants must be recognized as strategic contributors to business growth, destination development, policy formulation, and service innovation. He further noted that collaboration, trust, and strategic relationships remain essential to professional success and industry advancement.
INDUCTION AND ELECTION
The conference featured the induction of a new set of Fellows and Members into the Association. Emphasis was made on the Association being the apex professional body representing leading local and international experts in the hospitality and tourism consulting sectors, with dedication to advancing industry standards, promoting professional excellence, supporting policy development, encouraging research, and fostering sustainable growth within Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality ecosystem.
During the AGM and conference, ATHCON officially elected seasoned journalist and tourism professional, Paul Ukpabio, as its new Public Relations Officer (PRO). Ukpabio is also a professional member of: The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR National Alumni), Member of The Technical Committee On Tourism and Related Services (Standard Organization of Nigeria), Member of Institute for Tourism Practitioners in Nigeria (ITPN), and Member of Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers Of Tourism (ANJET), amongst others.
The appointment forms part of the Association’s strategic efforts to strengthen public engagement, enhance industry advocacy, and improve visibility for Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism consulting profession.
ATHCON reaffirmed its commitment to promoting excellence, professionalism, innovation, and sustainable development across Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality sectors through effective communication, collaboration, and capacity building.
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