Travel/Tourism
Sapele, A Hidden Treasure
By Nkem Ndem
Sapele is a tantalizingly unexplored slice of Delta State in Nigeria. Created as a trading village by the Europeans, the city today has grown to be an industrial hub having industries such as footwear manufacturing, timber, palm oil and rubber processing hence getting visited by numerous people on business and leisure. The general idea is that Sapele is a trading village, and it is not only popular for saw-milling, other industrial activities go on within the area, considering the major ports located in the suburb.
For all its newfound prosperity, Sapele remains a land steeped in tradition. Its locale, bursting with places to visit, is a pulsating feast of eye-searing sights, feverish activity and round-the-clock business. Again, its people are a real delight: fiercely proud, but markedly eager to please foreigners who come to live or holiday in their location. Within hours of arriving, you may well find yourself with new friends.
TOP THREE SITES
Sapele Athletic club
Sapele Athletic Club is the oldest club in Nigeria as it was founded in 1880 before Ikoyi Club, Kaduna Club, Benin Club and numerous others across the country.
Sapele Main Market
Sapele main market, the most popular market in Sapele town, plays a significant role in the life of the people whose occupation are in the area of small and medium scale production.
Sapele stadium
Sapele Township Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Sapele, Nigeria. It is used mostly for football matches and athletics. It is the temporary home stadium of Bayelsa United F.C. The stadium has a capacity of 16,000 people
LODGING
You can get good value for money across the accommodation spectrum in Sapele. The 4 star Hampshire Hotel and Resort situated beside the Sapele Athletic club is one of the best hotels in Sapele you can book. Some of other Sapele hotels you will enjoy lodging at are London Royal Hotel, Barry White Hotel and Richards Continental Hotel and Resort. You can book the hotels on Jumia Travel and take advantage of the discounts.
DINING
It’s easy to eat well for little in Sapele as a majority of restaurants are clean but modest and offer decent food at low prices. Sapele’s restaurants range from those charging city prices for continental cuisine to the grimiest roadside diners serving local meals and little else besides. There are numerous eateries all over Sapele such as Mega Planet, African Kitchen and Happy Kitchen.
SHOPPING
Trading in Sapele is a time-old tradition, making shopping in the area a firm favourite. Every knickknack imaginable can be found in the markets, as well as more contemporary items like trendy fashion, electronics etc. There are some shopping malls and boutiques across the country too, selling diverse apparel for every occasion, books, technology, home décor and food.
FUN FACT
The Sapele Ferry which is till today the only means of carrying motor vehicles across the river was started in January, 1929.
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.
