NIHOTOUR Partners with Circuits to Digitally Transform Nigeria’s Hospitality and Culinary Education

The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Circuits, Africa’s premier virtual cinema and audiovisual distribution platform, to drive the digital transformation of Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism education ecosystem.

Established under the NIHOTOUR Act, the Institute serves as Nigeria’s apex government agency for the regulation, training, and capacity development of professionals in the hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors.

Through this strategic partnership, NIHOTOUR will leverage Circuits’ cutting-edge digital infrastructure to deliver its training programmes, professional development courses, and culinary showcases to a vast online audience.

The collaboration aims to make world-class hospitality education more accessible and affordable for millions of Nigerians—especially those working in hotels, restaurants, catering services, tour operations, travel agencies, and other tourism-related fields, regardless of their geographic location.

As part of the initiative, NIHOTOUR and Circuits will produce and stream a series of digital culinary shows spotlighting Nigeria’s diverse culinary traditions and innovative gastronomy. These programmes will not only celebrate the country’s rich food culture but also position Nigeria as a global destination for culinary excellence and hospitality innovation.

Aare (Dr.) Abisoye Fagade, Director-General of NIHOTOUR, described the partnership as a transformative step in hospitality capacity development in Nigeria:

“This collaboration with Circuits aligns perfectly with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritises innovation, youth empowerment, and economic growth.
By embracing digital dissemination, we are extending NIHOTOUR’s mandate to millions of Nigerians, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive and compete globally.”

Imade Bibowei-Osuobeni, Chief Operating Officer of Circuits, also highlighted the significance of the partnership, noting that Circuits was built to connect African creativity with global audiences:

“Partnering with NIHOTOUR allows us to merge education, entertainment, and technology in a way that redefines how hospitality expertise and indigenous culinary excellence are shared and celebrated.
Together, we are shaping a future where digital storytelling and learning elevate Africa’s tourism and hospitality standards on the world stage.”

The NIHOTOUR–Circuits partnership reaffirms the Institute’s leadership in hospitality training and standardisation, while leveraging Circuits’ digital ecosystem to expand the reach of Nigerian expertise worldwide.

By combining innovation with accessibility, NIHOTOUR and Circuits are charting a new course for the future of Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism industry, empowering a new generation of professionals across the nation’s tourism value chain.