Criticism of FTAN leadership

Frank Meke said the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria is steadily losing relevance, one year after a leadership transition that many in the industry had expected would strengthen visibility, empowerment, and socio-economic relevance for the sector.

He traced the federation's history to its early years under the late Teresa Ezeobi, described as the first female President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies, and later under Goddie Ibru, its first substantive president. According to him, the organisation had experienced both strong and weak eras of leadership over the decades.

Meke said that until the emergence of Nkereuwem Onung, the federation had often been run by individuals whose ideas departed from its founding vision. He argued that the current period reflects a return to stagnation, weak innovation, and what he described as a lack of transformative leadership.

He said expectations of a new era built on strategy, institutional growth, and stakeholder-driven development had instead given way to confusion and poor leadership performance.

Allegations of division and poor sector engagement

Meke accused the present leadership of prioritising validation, comparisons, and self-congratulation over competence and vision. He said the federation had become an epicentre of avoidable conflicts and had shifted away from its role as a unifying platform for sector growth.

According to him, FTAN now quarrels with institutions and initiatives across the sector, while members who were once independent and outspoken have become silent. He also said the organisation had undermined gains made in previous years and failed to properly articulate the economic value of culture and tourism to the country.

If there is one phrase that accurately captures the federation's performance so far, it is this: letter writing.

— Frank Meke, Stakeholder, Tourism Industry

He said the federation had institutionalised incompetence, lacked a coherent reform agenda, and elevated reactionary tactics above constructive engagement, negotiation, and policy intervention.

Policy disputes and reform concerns

Meke said the National Bureau of Statistics remains one of the most important platforms for documenting and recognising tourism's economic contributions, but argued that a federation uncomfortable with professionalism, research, and capacity development could not effectively advocate for the industry's place in national planning.

He referred to a national stakeholders' meeting scheduled to hold in Abuja next Wednesday and criticised what he described as the federation's confrontational response. He argued that policy disagreements should be approached with open-mindedness, patriotism, and dialogue rather than hostility.

Enough of the mob mentality. Enough of the politics of division. Enough of the needless confrontations that distract from the real work of building a thriving tourism industry.

— Frank Meke, Stakeholder, Tourism Industry

He specifically criticised the campaign to abolish both the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority and the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism regulatory frameworks over perceived overlaps. He said overlapping mandates and conflicting laws exist across Nigeria's institutional landscape and should be addressed through patience, stakeholder engagement, strategic lobbying, and legislative advocacy.

Meke also said attempts to pressure members of a federated organisation to boycott a lawful stakeholders' engagement were misplaced, insisting that member associations should be free to attend, contribute, and express their views without coercion.

Broader industry concerns

Meke said FTAN had lost focus on the NIHOTOUR regulatory initiative and was showing greater interest in confrontation than in facilitating informed debate and practical solutions.

He pointed to other issues he said required urgent attention from the federation, including reports from Kebbi State and other parts of northern Nigeria involving state-backed enforcement actions targeting hotels and hospitality establishments, including the arrest of guests over alleged violations of religious codes. He said such developments carry implications for tourism development and investor confidence.

He also faulted the federation for failing to take a meaningful position on multiple taxation affecting tourism and hospitality businesses, saying it had not effectively engaged federal and state agencies on tax harmonisation or a more business-friendly operating environment.

Meke added that workshops, seminars, policy dialogues, and industry consultations had become increasingly rare, while declarations of conflict continued to emerge quickly and often without broad stakeholder consultation.

Call for stakeholder action

Meke said he would pay closer attention to the affairs of the federation and speak more openly when necessary, noting that many stakeholders had invested time, energy, and goodwill into its development.

He encouraged others in the tourism industry to speak up, saying positive changes should be supported when they occur, but that the federation's present posture was neither productive nor sustainable.

This is Nigeria. No union, association, or federation is bigger than the country.

— Frank Meke, Stakeholder, Tourism Industry

He ended with a direct appeal for a reset in the sector, calling for an end to division and confrontations that, in his view, distract from the work of building a stronger tourism industry.