By Jimoh Babatunde

The Group General Manager of Continental Hotels Nigeria, Karl Hala, has charged Nigerians to unleash the potential of their youth in order to build world-class hospitality talents.

Speaking at the Abuja Hotel Expo, Hala noted that it is the people that curate memorable experiences for hotel guests, so “emphasis should be on the people, with particular reference to Nigerian youths.

‘In hospitality, we don’t manufacture products – we craft experiences. And those experiences come to life only through people,’’ he said.

He added, “Technology may enhance efficiency, but it is empathy that creates loyalty. Buildings can be beautiful, but it is the people within that make a guest return. Our industry is not built on concrete – it is built on the character, culture, and care of its people.’’

Hala noted that the youths are Nigeria’s untapped hospitality superpower.

‘Now let’s talk about our youth – the vibrant majority of Nigeria. ‘Here lies the most underutilised superpower in the hospitality sector today,’ he said.

He said with proper training and adequate information as well as exposure to the industry that there is no reason for any Nigerian youth to want to go to Swiss Hotel School in Lausanne or any other part of the world.

‘‘Why should a young Nigerian dream of leaving for a Swiss hotel school in Lausanne when the future of hospitality excellence can – and should – be taught right here in Lagos, Abuja, or Enugu?’’ he queried.

He, therefore, called for a mindset shift, saying, ‘‘We must shift the mindset from ‘escape to Europe’ to ‘build from Nigeria’. From seeing hospitality as a fallback option to understanding it as a fast-growing, rewarding, global career path.

‘At Continental Hotels, we don’t just hire – we develop. We believe in career paths, not just payroll numbers.

‘We are actively mapping out growth trajectories for young talents – from internships to leadership pipelines. We’re investing in mentorship, training academies, and skills acceleration programmes that open doors to becoming not just supervisors – but general managers, owners, and innovators.

‘Our goal is clear: to create a future where a young Nigerian can proudly say, ‘I was trained, mentored, and celebrated by Nigerian hotels – and now I lead on the global stage.’

‘Let’s build Lagos School of Hospitality Excellence.

Let’s make Abuja Hospitality Institute a reference point for West Africa.

‘Let’s teach green hotel operations, digital guest experience, and Afrocentric service leadership. Let’s ensure that sustainability is not a section in a brochure – but a reality in every kitchen, every linen policy, and every energy meter.’’

He , therefore, tasked the Nigerian government and Nigerians to shift focus from oil by building world-class hospitality talent from the abundance of talents that are in the country.

The new vision, he said, is, ‘Within a decade, Nigeria must be known not just for oil, music, and jollof – but for world-class hospitality talent.

‘Let’s invest not just in rooms and restaurants – but in resilience and relevance. Let’s give our youth not just jobs – but dignity, direction, and destiny.

The next big brand may not be from Paris or Dubai – it may just be from Abuja.’’