NIMC explores partnership to strengthen identity verification

The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism and the National Identity Management Commission have agreed to explore a partnership aimed at promoting data-driven development, professionalisation and security in Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism sector.

A statement on the initiative, signed on Saturday by Ayodele Babalola, Technical Adviser, Media & Communications to the CEO of NIMC, noted that discussions focused on building a robust institutional partnership to advance the mandates of both agencies, particularly in strengthening national identity systems within Nigeria’s hospitality, travel and tourism sectors.

During discussions at the NIMC headquarters in Abuja, the Director-General of NIHOTOUR, Aare Bisoye Fagade, paid a courtesy visit to the Director-General/CEO of NIMC, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, accompanied by his management team, to formalise the partnership framework.

The proposed collaboration seeks to integrate NIMC’s national identity database, which contains registered persons under the NIMC Act, into NIHOTOUR’s certification and registration processes for qualified practitioners in the sector, as stipulated by the NIHOTOUR Establishment Act.

Speaking on the initiative, Coker-Odusote reaffirmed NIMC’s commitment to supporting institutions that rely on accurate identity verification. She stressed that interoperability and secure data exchange are crucial for modern governance and economic advancement.

“We welcome NIHOTOUR’s initiative and are optimistic about the positive impact such collaboration will have on national development,” she said.

Fagade noted that the partnership would not only strengthen NIHOTOUR’s internal processes but also elevate standards across Nigeria’s growing hospitality and tourism landscape. He highlighted the potential benefits for service excellence, workforce professionalisation and national security.

Both agencies agreed to constitute a joint technical working group to develop a framework for implementation, paving the way for a more secure, integrated and professional tourism and hospitality sector in Nigeria.