President Tinubu Appoints Abisoye Fagade As DG National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism

President Tinubu Appoints Abisoye Fagade As DG National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism

“The President enjoins the newly appointed officers to discharge their duties with dedication, patriotism, and excellence”

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Aare Abisoye Fagade as the Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism.

The appointment was announced in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Dr. Fagade, an Ibadan-born businessman cum politician, is a marketing communication professional with decades of experience.

Meet Dr. Abisoye Fagade

Dr. Abisoye Fagade, a distinguished Nigerian marketing communication expert, was recently appointed as the Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR). As the founder and Managing Director of Sodium Brand Solutions, he has positioned the agency as a major player in Nigeria’s marketing industry.

Early Life and Education
Born in Ibadan, Nigeria, on March 10, 1974, Fagade attended Queen of Apostle Primary School in Oluyoro, Ibadan, and Lagelu Grammar School in Agugu, Ibadan. He later pursued studies at Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile Ife.

Career Beginnings
Fagade launched his marketing career in 1999 with De-United Foods, the producer of Indomie noodles, after completing his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) program. He later worked with IMS Group’s Tequila Event as a Client Service Manager and joined SO&U Saatchi and Saatchi Group in 2006 as Assistant Director, focusing on experiential marketing.

Founding Sodium Brand Solutions
In 2009, Fagade established Sodium Brand Solutions, which has managed marketing communication campaigns for major multinationals like Coca-Cola and MTN.

Entrepreneurial and Community Initiatives
In 2019, Fagade launched the Abisoye Fagade Foundation, which aims to tackle youth unemployment in Nigeria by providing skills training. He also created the “Oyo Si Ma Dun” Network (OSMD), a platform supporting youth empowerment, particularly in Oyo State.

Cultural Recognition
In 2023, he was honored as the Aare Asoju Oba of Ara Kingdom by the Alara of Ara Kingdom, Oba (Dr.) Olubayo Adesola Windapo, in Osun State.

Expanding Business Interests
A widely traveled marketing consultant, Fagade has extended his business ventures into the hospitality sector.

Political Ambitions
Fagade aimed to run for the office of Oyo State Governor in 2023 under the All Progressives Congress (APC) but lost in the primary election.

Through his contributions to marketing and youth empowerment, Dr. Fagade is poised to significantly enhance the growth and development of Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality sectors in his new leadership role at NIHOTOUR.

Other Appointees

In the statement on Thursday, Onanuga also announced other appointments approved by the President.

The other appointees are Olawale Olopade, Director-Genera of the National Sports Commission, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement; and Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser, Media and Public Communications (State House).

Onanuga added in the statement: “The President enjoins the newly appointed officers to discharge their duties with dedication, patriotism, and excellence.” More