Hospitality Business School (HBS) has graduated dozens of hospitality professionals at its ceremonial graduation in Lagos, reinforcing its commitment to producing industry-ready talent and raising professional standards in Nigeria’s hospitality and tourism sector.
The event, themed Hospitality Change Agents, brought together industry leaders, educators and students to celebrate excellence, recognise outstanding performers and promote skills-driven training as a pathway to sectoral growth.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Executive Officer of Hospitality Business School, Dr. Eric Mekwunye, said the institution was deliberately structured to prioritise competence, discipline and real-world relevance over mass certification.
“At HBS, we don’t just provide our students with the required skills for their various fields. We go all out to ensure that they are properly refined to deliver the best value for the industry in Nigeria and beyond.”
He described the graduation ceremony as symbolic, noting that students graduate upon completing their programmes, while the ceremonial event is held periodically to celebrate excellence and impact. “The actual graduation happens every time the session ends, but we come together every two years to have it ceremoniously.”
According to Dr. Eric, HBS adopts an intensive, hands-on training model that mirrors real hospitality operations, with extended learning hours and flexible programme durations to ensure that no student is left behind.
The CEO said the school’s approach has continued to produce strong outcomes, citing graduates who have transformed hotel kitchens as interns, secured employment abroad shortly after relocation, and won international competitions within months of entering new markets. “That is what we stand for,” he noted.
Eric also highlighted the resilience and competitiveness of Nigerian hospitality operators, stressing that local hotels offer strong value and service quality despite infrastructure challenges. “What counterparts do in America and Europe, we do five times, yet we don’t give ourselves the flowers we deserve,” he said.
In his remarks, President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Alhaji Badaki Aliyu Phd., commended institutions like HBS for strengthening manpower development in the sector, emphasising that training and professionalism remain critical to hospitality and tourism growth.
“You can only give what you have. If you are not well-trained, it will be difficult for you to perform well out there,” Ali said. He added that improved infrastructure, access to finance and stronger coordination across government agencies would further unlock the sector’s potential.
Graduating students described the programme as transformative. One of the graduates, Chef Obike Omon, CEO of Ogik, said the training deepened her understanding of hospitality operations beyond routine practice. “I have been operating in the industry for a while now,” she remarked.
“However, I came back to school because I would like to know the ‘why’, the core elements that drive the growth of the business and the sector at large. I’ve acquired a lot of skills in food costing, managing the business and people. I am convinced that this will help improve my business.”
Another graduate, Yemi Falashe, acknowledged that the programme sharpened her service delivery and culinary innovation, particularly in fusion cooking. “Hospitality is a service. Rendering great service is extremely important.”
The graduation ceremony also featured the recognition of hospitality professionals and brands described as “change agents” within and outside the HBS community, underscoring the school’s broader mission to shape the future of hospitality in Nigeria through skills, professionalism and leadership.
