Stakeholders in Nigeria’s hospitality and allied services sector have stressed the relevance of the sector in boosting the country’s economic potential.

They said the incorporation of research institutions for capacity development in the sector, would not only add value to the sector, but would also expand Nigeria’s economic fortunes.

The stakeholders who spoke at a workshop organised by the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) on technology transfer agreements in the hospitality sector in Nigeria in Lagos, maintained that the sector had great potential for transforming our economy through its various operational divisions.

If properly recognised and exploited, they said it could compete with the oil and gas sector through revenue generation, employment generation, foreign direct investment, projection of our national image, among others.

Speaking at the event, the Director, Hospitality and Catering services, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, Chief Ernest Obia, said research institutions by their activities could generate ideas, innovations, new products and services to promote and position hospitality industry for competitive advantage.

“NIHOTOUR is strategically placed to coordinate or midwife this relationship. It is important for the collaborating organisations to have a clear understanding or perception of the relationship.  Collaboration with a selected few firms as opposed to a large number of different firms have been shown to positively impact performance and innovations,” he added.

The Director General, NOTAP, Dr. Umar Bindir, in his presentation, said reaching required agreements would make provision for exclusive transferors’ control, while ensuring day-to-day operations, management and supervision of businesses, the use of brand standards set out and maintained by the international group of the transferors, among others.

He said, “NOTAP has noted that within the hospitality industry the agreements submitted to it are with international hotel chains (transferors) for use and implementation of a Brand along with other Intellectual Property for the operation, management and supervision in Nigeria.

“Therefore, there is need for investment in Research and Development for the development of Nigerian brands within the hospitality industry that are capable of export.”