Travel/Tourism
Marriott Int’l Opens Second Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Kenya
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Marriot International has announced the opening of its second hotel in the ‘World’s Wildlife Capital’, Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport, further consolidating its presence in Kenya.
Strategically situated within the main complex of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, the hotel is within easy reach from major highways and overlooks the famous Nairobi National Park.
It perfectly complements the Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Hurlingham, located in the city’s central business district which opened earlier this year.
“Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport is a great addition to our East Africa portfolio and strengthens our rapidly growing presence in the region,” said Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International. “As a gateway city into the continent, Nairobi is a natural travel hub. We are confident that with its blend of stylish comfort and genuine service at an honest value, the hotel will meet the rising demand for high-caliber lodging in this fast-growing market and soon emerge as a leading choice among business and leisure travelers.”
Designed for the modern traveller with an emphasis on approachable design, the all-new 172 room Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport features spacious and modern rooms including suites.
It also offers exciting dining options including an all-day dining, a lobby café and a rooftop bar and grill, Tazama. With spectacular views of the Nairobi National Park on one side and the airport runway on the other, Tazama offers guests a sense of authentic locale through food, music and art. An imposing artwork by renowned Kenyan graffiti artist, Bankslave, reflecting the pulse of Nairobi takes centre stage. Guests can also experience the brand’s signature Best Brews™ program featuring a local craft pilsner created especially for the hotel in collaboration with the well-known Big Five Breweries, making it the ideal spot to enjoy a favourite sport and unwind with friends and colleagues.
Reflecting the brand’s promise to provide what matters most to today’s independent travellers, the hotel offers the brand’s defining touches, including the Four Points by Sheraton Four Comfort Bed, complimentary bottled water in all rooms, fast and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel and an energizing breakfast with fresh coffee that helps guests start the day right.
Other facilities include a rooftop pool, a state of the art fitness centre and a modest spa. With 3500 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting space, the hotel is an ideal venue for meetings and events. Additionally, it also provides a complimentary shuttle into the airport terminal throughout the day.
“The hotel’s unique location together with its warm and genuine service and the defining elements of the Four Points brand is a winning combination that will set us apart,” said Vivek Mathur General Manager Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi Airport. “We are committed to offering guests an uncomplicated travel experience and exactly what they need while on the road be it for business or for leisure.”
Four Points has proven to be a global hit with its distinctive identity and ability to meet the increasing demands of the modern, everyday traveller. The brand is experiencing incredible growth momentum having recently crossed the 200th hotel milestone globally. In East Africa alone, the brand debuted in Kenya earlier this year with the opening of Four Points by Sheraton Nairobi, Hurlingham followed by its recent foray into Tanzania with the opening of Four Points by Sheraton Arusha, The Arusha Hotel. It is now gearing up to open Four Points by Sheraton Dar es Salam, New Africa Hotel in the next couple of months.
Travel/Tourism
FAAN to Introduce Facial Recognition at Nigerian Airports
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.
Travel/Tourism
Honeywell Group Acquires 14.12% Stake in Ikeja Hotel
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.
Travel/Tourism
Lagos Shuts Down 10 Hotels, Restaurants for Environmental Violations
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.


