Federal Government Launches Mobile Culinary Training Kitchen for Cooks Nationwide

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

The Minister of Tourism, Lola Ade-John, in collaboration with Director Genera The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Nura Kangiwa, inaugurated the National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism’s innovative mobile training kitchen truck in Abuja.

The initiative, aligned with the “Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” emphasizes the government’s commitment to fostering growth, empowerment, and culinary excellence within Nigeria.

Ade-John highlighted the Mobile Training Kitchen as a symbol of inspiration and opportunity, set to traverse both urban and rural areas, delivering hands-on culinary training to local cooks, enthusiasts, and entrepreneurs.

“The project marks a pivotal moment in our journey to elevate culinary skills, promote tourism, and empower our citizens, establishing Nigeria as a recognized center of excellence,” Ade-John expressed.

Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, the mobile kitchen ensures top-notch education and practical experience, reinforcing the vision to leverage Nigeria’s rich culinary heritage.

Director General Nura Kangiwa emphasized the crucial role of well-trained personnel for the tourism and hospitality industry’s success, stating, “No amount of investment will be successful without necessary manpower.”

Strategically located in 10 campuses across the country, NIHOTOUR aims to reach people in hinterlands with the Mobile Training Kitchen Truck, contributing significantly to training accessibility and market presence.

Kangiwa highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship skills in tourism to curb youth unemployment, offering diverse opportunities in sub sectors such as tour guiding, event management, and culinary practice.

The NIHOTOUR Mobile Training Kitchen boasts eco-friendly design, with 95% reliance on LPG for equipment and power generators. Equipped with professional catering appliances, a water tank, and safety features, it exemplifies a commitment to sustainable and quality training in the Hospitality and Tourism industry.

Nura Kangiwa, the Director General of NIHOTOUR, said that “one of our objectives for investing on such a high-quality motorized training platform is to facilitate the fulfillment of core mandate, as an agency of the Federal Government, with responsibility of training and upskilling personnel in Nigeria’s hospitality sector. So far, we have 11 campuses across Nigeria’s six-geopolitical zones, hence this truck will enable us to take our training to locations where we are yet to set up a campus or training center.”

Kangiwa assured that, “expectedly, the acquisition of the mobile training truck will contribute significantly to achieving our goal of taking training closer to the stakeholders in the hinterlands, enhance our market presence sub-nationally, and eventually expand our reach within the hospitality and tourism industry.”