Spotlight on Olufemi Falebita FIH | Celebrating Black History Month

Continuing our celebrations for October’s Black History Month, we shine a spotlight on Olufemi Falebita FIH, Founder and CEO of Nethermentor.com and Chair of the Institute of Hospitality Nigeria Region.

Tell us a little more about yourself and what you do.

I studied Hotel Management at Hotelschool The Hague in the Netherlands and at Kwara State College of Technology in Nigeria.

I love people, and I’m involved in economic development schemes in my Church and community. I am the Founder and CEO of Nether Springs Mentors (Nethermentor). I am also the current Chair of the Institute of Hospitality Nigeria Region and a public speaker on tech-driven hospitality and service excellence at major industry conferences.

I have more than 40 years of experience in hotel operations, new openings, turnaround strategies, change management, and quality standards implementation in the hospitality industry and am exceptionally skilled in food and beverage service training and professional development

My career began as a management trainee and culminated in senior roles with Sheraton Management Corporation. I also provided leadership in hospitality consultancies in Botswana, South Africa, and Nigeria.

I advocate for professionalism, strict ethics, industry standards, and the integration of technology in hospitality. My current interests include research in Afro Fusion Hospitality, adopting global professional standards and technology, and fusing these into the evolving African hospitality niche. I am also actively involved in youth economic development in my local community in Nigeria and have an active passion for initiatives that advance hospitality professionalism and industry development across Nigeria and Africa.

This year’s theme for Black History Month is ‘Standing Firm in Power and Pride’. What does this phrase mean to you personally and professionally?

Professionalism is about playing the game according to the rules of the game. This entails the acquisition of knowledge and skills, having wisdom and integrity and utilising all in the uplifting of the hospitality workspace. Being a Nigerian and obviously ‘black’ has not held me back in attaining professional feats of excellence.

What do you think the hospitality sector can do to be more inclusive and accessible?

Industry cross-training and cross-experience, and global workforce policies should be entrenched as standard practice in the hospitality sector.

Who has been a role model to you during your career?

Mr Ed Pinczowski, General Manager, at the Sheraton Lagos Hotel and Towers, Lagos, Nigeria, in 1989. He showed me the practical importance of teamwork in the workplace and how to make it happen! He was a personification of smart work culture; he rewarded honesty and integrity and recognised professional competence.

How has your personal background shaped the values and principles you bring into your work today?

I enrolled as an HND Hotel and Catering Management student in 1976, a time when it was considered unseemly and unpopular to venture into an industry of so-called ‘less intelligent’ individuals. Going into hospitality for me became a ‘divine calling.’ My passion was ignited by what I believed in. I put my trust and faith in God and decided to succeed.

Why did you join the Institute of Hospitality?

The Institute of Hospitality offered a platform for continuous professional learning and development. Apart from its massive global resources, locally, I had friends and colleagues who were already members. I saw their impact in the local industry and how they leveraged their membership to become valuable voices in the hospitality industry in Nigeria.

If you could share one message with young people in hospitality, especially those navigating barriers around disability, race, or identity about ‘Standing Firm in Power and Pride’, what would it be?

Embrace professionalism with personal integrity. Professionalism will open doors for you, whilst integrity will promote you.