Lagos: Hospitality and tourism experts have called for a stronger collaboration between academic institutions and industry practitioners to prepare young Nigerians for meaningful careers in the sector. The experts made the call during a panel session at a summit for students in hospitality and tourism on Friday in Lagos.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the event, ‘Hospitality and Business Summit (HBS) 2025’, was organised by Tourism and Hospitality Mentorship for Development (TMD) Brand, in collaboration with Eko Hotels and Suites. The summit, themed ‘Wonders of Today, Leaders of Tomorrow: Positioning for Global Impact – The Role of Youth in the Industrial Revolution’, highlighted the need for urgent reforms in internship structures and student engagement strategies to bridge the gap between classroom theory and practical realities.
The Managing Director of Eko Hotels and Suites, Mr. Ghassan Faddoul, emphasized the importance of bridging the academic-practical gap to prepare young people for the hospitality sector. He advocated for compulsory annual internships for students to provide them with hands-on training throughout their academic journey.
Rita Opiah, General Manager of Radisson Hotel Group, echoed the need for accountability and enforcement of training programs by academic institutions. She urged institutions to ensure students are present for the planned duration of internships and suggested forming task forces to collaborate with industry leaders for monitoring and feedback.
Yvonne Joseph, a hospitality career mentor and advisor, expressed concern over youth disinterest in the sector, noting that many perceive it as boring. She encouraged industry leaders to create opportunities for students and interns to express their creativity and contribute ideas that could positively impact the industry.
Susan Akporiaye, former president of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), highlighted the vast opportunities in travel and tourism beyond hotels. She advised students to blend technology with human-centric skills to enhance employability and learn from experienced industry players.
Dr. Iyadunni Gbadebo, Director of Sales and Marketing at Eko Hotels and Suites, urged students to explore content creation as a serious role within the industry and encouraged collaboration to promote ‘Destination Nigeria’ for national growth.
Danny Kioupouroglou, General Manager of Eko Hotels and Suites, stressed the importance of training, hard work, and focus in developing future industry leaders. He shared his personal journey from entry-level positions to his current role, emphasizing that leadership is about serving and showing up.
Temitope Sadiq, South-West Regional Coordinator of TMD Brand, noted that the summit aimed to expose students to industry veterans for insights and experience leverage. The event attracted over 2,000 students from various schools across the nation.