Travel/Tourism
Radisson Hotel Begins Construction of 10th Hotel in Nigeria
By Dipo Olowookere
The expansion drive of a leading hospitality company, Radisson Hotel Group, is on course as the firm is planning to establish its 10th branch in Nigeria.
A statement issued last week disclosed that the new hotel is to be situated in Abuja and will be the third in the nation’s capital. The new facility, to be known as Radisson Hotel Abuja Gudu, is currently under construction and due to open within the next 18 months.
It was stated that the 100-room hotel will comprise various standard room types and suites, furnished with contemporary layered styling and a Scandinavian-inspired aesthetic.
This design will flow through the hotels four restaurants and bars too, from the lobby bar and café and all-day-dining restaurant to the restaurant and pool terraces and Business Class Lounge.
The hotel will also feature a fully equipped gym and an outdoor swimming pool, providing guests with a harmonious business and leisure experience, the statement stated.
It was added that the meetings and events space of 242 sqm will be made up of three meeting rooms, a boardroom and a pre-assembly area.
Radisson Hotel Group has not hidden its desire to strengthen its presence in one of its key African markets and reach a 50 per cent portfolio increase by 2025.
“We are delighted to introduce the fast-growing, upscale, Radisson brand to Abuja with what is set to be a landmark hotel and key contributor to the countries positive travel and tourism industry.
“It will perfectly complement our two hotels currently under development in the city, Radisson Collection Abuja ASO Tower, scheduled to open in 2022 and Radisson Blu Abuja City Centre, on track to open its doors in 2024.
“Beyond Abuja, our expansion strategy in Nigeria focuses on Lagos and Port Harcourt as well as the countries six main state capital cities,” the Senior Director, Development, Africa, Radisson Hotel Group, Erwan Garnier, stated.
Commenting on the group’s development plans in Nigeria, the Vice President, Development, Africa & Turkey, Radisson Hotel Group, Ramsay Rankoussi, noted that, “In line with our strategic review across the continent and further supporting our ambitions across Africa to reach over 150 hotels within the next five years, Nigeria represents one of our core focus growth markets.
“I take this opportunity to thank our partner for this new addition and we certainly look forward to further reinforcing our presence across the country in the coming years.
“We aim to accelerate our presence across Nigeria, predominantly through conversions and new build hotels but also with a diversified offering from business hotels to serviced apartments and mixed-use developments.”
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Radisson Hotel Group in introducing the Radisson brand to Abuja, the countries powerhouse city.
“With a combination of endless aesthetic beauty and world-class hospitality, together, I believe we will create the city’s must-visit hotel,” Prince Ify Godfrey Ejim, the Chief Operating Officer, 1st Impression Investment Company Limited, the hotel’s owning company, said.
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.
