NHA faults multiple taxation on members, asks FG to harmonise taxes

Segun Babatunde Awofadeji, Bauchi

The Nigeria Hotel Association (NHA) has criticised the continual rise and imposition of multiple taxation on its members in the country.

The National President of the Association, His Highness, Eze Patrick Anyanwu who was speaking while presenting outcomes of the NHA’s national delegate meeting held in Lagos on May 6, 2025 at a press conference held at the NUJ Press Centre, Bauchi on Thursday, also called on the Federal Government to intervene with policies, reforms and financial support in order to save the tourism industry from imminent collapse.

According to him,  “Members of the association had no difficulty in paying taxes as they are law abiding citizens but multiple taxation from different government agencies are negatively affecting the industry.So we are calling on the federal government to harmonise taxes in the hospitality industry, in line with the global trend”

“The high rate of tax levy which hotel operators pay to revenue authorities is becoming so alarming in the country.Multiple taxation is one of the major factors that affect business operators, especially we hotel operators.We want the relevant authorities to look into the tax revenue and review it downwards to facilitate hospitality business”

“There are some hotel operators in the country that are not registered with us, this is not suppose to be so because when they face challenges like robbery incidences in hotel or something tragic happens, who will stand up for them? It is important that every hotel registers with the association in order to give hotel owners a sense of belonging and where there issues like litigations, the association can support them” he said

Anyanwu also called for the creation of a federal grant scheme to boost hotel businesses, highlighting the sector’s critical role in national revenue generation, employment, tourism, and accommodation services.

We are pleading for government grants because we are contributing a lot in the development of this country in terms of revenue, employment, and accommodating visitors from all over the world,” he said.

“The Government of Nigeria doesn’t have many hotels, it is members of NHA that accommodate their visitors from all over the world. They should think about giving us grants.

“Many of the hotels borrowed money from banks to uplift their business but revenue officials keep coming to us with multiple requests for revenue.

He encouraged every member of the Association “to embrace the gospel of unity. We are to look beyond personal interests and focus on the collective  good of our association”.   END