Travel/Tourism
6 Things To Do Alone In Benin City
By Nkem Ndem
Feeling lonely in Benin City? Do not be! Once in a while, it is nice to stop and take a moment for a little “You” time. There are actually a number of ways to have fun all by yourself without feeling like a loser. Check out Jumia Travel’s picks for some of the best activities you can do on your own in the city below.
Visit a hotel bar
Benin features a number of hotels that boast of fabulous bars and drinking joints. Rather than mope around, mix up your regular routine, track down one of the best hotels in the city and head to their bar. Not only do you stand the chance of meeting other people, it allows for change of scenery.
Explore a place you’ve never been before
There are so many exciting spots to explore around Benin that you cannot get around them all in one week even if you tried. Whether a cultural center, golf course, ancient landmark or just a bar, certainly, there are sites and locations you have never visited. Seek out one of these places, take a walk on a street you have never walked on and post a million Instagrams. Or just read and enjoy the silence for a while.
Catch a Movie at Kada Plaza
Seeing a movie at the cinema is a classic solo date night and fortunately, residents in Benin now have Kada Cinemas located within Kada Plaza. An entertainment center and cinema venue, it is flexible and ensures you do not have any dulling moment.
Enjoy some live music
Listening to live music always offers an exhilarating experience. It is not difficult to find live music shows around Benin in the weekend. However, if you are up for a night out on a weekend, some clubs offer live band on Wednesdays.
Lunch at Mama Ebo rice
Just because you don’t have anyone to go out and dine with, does not mean you should relegate yourself to another night of takeout. You can still (and SHOULD) go by yourself and Mama Ebo pepper rice is a great place to go. Granted eating at a table for one, is pretty damn awkward and uncomfortable, but at Mama Ebo’s you wouldn’t lack for entertainment as the place is always crowded and you get to witness a lot. Also, the meals, which are mostly local meals are quite sumptuous.
Get cultured for cheap
If you are feeling artsy, but you do not have a date, do not fret too much. Visit theCrowne Art Gallery at GRA area of the city to see a display of art from different artistes within the city and more. These art works mostly tell of Benin’s history and traditions and usually, there is an attendant to answer whatever questions you may have.
Nkem Ndem is a PR Associate at Jumia Travel.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced plans to introduce V-Pass, a biometric facial recognition system designed to make passenger processing faster, safer and more seamless across its domestic airports.
According to FAAN, the new technology will allow passengers to verify their identities through facial recognition after a one-time enrolment, reducing reliance on physical identification documents and shortening queues through automated electronic gates.
The authority said the system is expected to enhance airport security while improving the overall travel experience for domestic passengers.
FAAN added that V-Pass has been developed with data privacy at its core and is compliant with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
The agency described the initiative as part of its commitment to delivering smarter, technology-driven airport services and said nationwide sensitisation and rollout updates would be announced in due course.
Airports in countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates already deploy facial recognition technology for processes such as check-in, security screening, immigration and boarding, so the move also aligns Nigeria’s aviation sector with a growing global trend towards contactless travel.
These systems have been adopted to improve operational efficiency, strengthen security and enhance the overall passenger experience.
For FAAN, the deployment of V-Pass forms part of its broader digital transformation agenda aimed at modernising airport operations and accommodating rising passenger traffic.
Experts say that beyond improving convenience, the authority expects the biometric platform to strengthen identity verification, reduce the risk of impersonation and support more efficient airport security, while maintaining compliance with data protection.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
About 14.12 per cent stake in Ikeja Hotel Plc has been acquired by Honeywell Group Limited, a notice on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited has revealed.
Honeywell Group took up the part of the hospitality firm through one of its affiliates known as HGL Real Estate Limited.
Ikeja Hotel, in the disclosure filed with the NGX on July 2, 2026, said the stake comprised 305,323,525 units of its equities.
“Ikeja Hotel hereby notifies the Nigerian Exchange Limited and the general public that it has received notification from HGL Real Estate Limited, an affiliate of Honeywell Group Limited, that it has acquired 305,323,525 units of Ikeja Hotel Plc’s shares, representing 14.12 per cent shareholding in the company,” the notice stated.
Ikeja Hotel is one of Nigeria’s leading hospitality investment and hotel management companies with premium hospitality assets.
It operates two leading hospitality organisations in Lagos, the Sheraton Lagos Hotel and Balmoral Convention Centre.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
About 10 hospitality establishments, including hotels and restaurants, were sealed on Wednesday by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).
The affected businesses are located in different locations in the Alimosho Local Government Area of the metropolis, Business Post learned from a statement from the agency.
It was stated that they were sealed by LASEPA for persistent violations of environmental regulations despite repeated warnings, abatement notices, and several opportunities to comply with the agency’s directives.
According to the notice, the enforcement exercise was carried out in line with the directives of the Lagos State government to ensure strict compliance with environmental laws and to safeguard public health.
The affected facilities were said to have breached various environmental regulations, including noise pollution, air pollution, unlawful discharge of untreated effluent, obstruction of official duties, among others.
LASEPA closed the premises of Granduer Meridian at Obasa Akiniyi Street, Oluwaga, Ipaja for non-compliance with the agency’s directives; Lasola (Spazio Bar), located on Ipaja Road, Fatolu Bus Stop, Ipaja, was sealed for noise pollution and non-compliance with directives; Millennium Restaurant, located at Gate Bus Stop, Ipaja, Ayobo, was shut down for non-compliance with directives; O2 Exquisite Suites & Tower on Jimoh Akinremi Street, Jimoh Bus Stop, Akowonjo, was sealed for non-compliance with directives; and Chirozz Hotel & Suites, located on Samuel Street, Akowonjo, by Vulcanizer Bus Stop, Egbeda, was closed for noise pollution and non-compliance with directives.
In addition, House 7 Hotel, located at Remi Akande Street, Egbeda, was sealed for non-compliance with LASEPA’s directives; House 48 on Isiba Oluwo Street, Egbeda, was sealed for non-compliance with directives; Exclusive Hotel, located at Ishan Kimishe, Akesan Bus Stop, was shut down by non-compliance with directives; Sabola Ventures Limited, Iocated at Km 11, LASU–Isheri Road, Igando, was shut down for operating without evidence of an Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP), and discharging untreated effluent into public drains; and City Int’l Motel, located at Chief Olu-Adegbite Street, off Oladun Street, Council Bus Stop, Idimu, was sealed for non-compliance with directives.
