Travel/Tourism
Sujimoto, Minister Discuss Development of Luxury Properties in Abuja
By Dipo Olowookere
There are plans to create a new city within Abuja that will become the industrial hub where forward-thinking entrepreneurs will make their first choice.
The main driver of this vision is the Lagos-based luxury real estate company known as Sujimoto Construction, which has made its mark in the commercial capital of Nigeria.
Recently, its Managing Director/CEO, Mr Sijibomi Ogundele, held a crucial meeting with the Minister of State of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mrs Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu.
At the meeting, which was supposed to last for only 15 minutes but ended after three hours, Mr Ogundele and the Minister agreed on the need to “turn Abuja into a small Dubai.”
“The vision is one for a new city within a city that will become the industrial hub where from automobile to information technology, every forward-thinking entrepreneur will make this new city their first choice. I still remember her (the Minister) exact words, Suji if this must be done, it must be done NOW!” Mr Ogundele said.
He noted that, “A meeting of 15 minutes lasted 3 hours because of the synergy in our thinking and vision. Hajiya is a no respecter of mediocrity, you can glimpse this in her personality and in the incredible projects she has embarked upon; from the floating luxury tourist attraction water park of Jabi to the Abuja Diamond City, a vision that’s meant to merge luxury and class into one space.”
The real estate expert described the Minister as a passionate administrator and an example of quality leadership.
“It is true what they say that there is no force equal to a woman determined to make an impact in the lives of her people! I have heard about her strength of character. I finally got to meet this great patriot, a true leader of the people, and I am happy to share in her vision and ready to partner with her ministry for a renewed FCT Abuja,” he said of her.
Continuing, he said “Meeting with dedicated and hardworking professionals like Dr Ramatu only incentivizes the resolve of a wholly Nigerian luxury real estate and infrastructure investor like ours. She epitomizes grace, vision and a ‘can-do’ commitment that the country needs at about now.
“We spoke about numerous projects and subjects, from real-estate to the realities and difficulties facing our great nation; her passion for gender equality, empowerment, and her vision to turn Abuja into a small Dubai. Certainly, we will not be known as the capital of mass housing, when we can transform Abuja into the luxury capital of Africa.”
“The Sujimoto brand is well acquainted with luxury and would be glad to take on the challenge of working with the brilliant team at the Federal Capital Territory to promote the beauty of Nigeria’s administrative host,” he said.
“The Leonardo that we are presently developing at the Banana Island in Lagos has redefined luxury already and as it is our custom, we intend to take the challenge of pushing our standards further.
“In our proposed incursion into the FCT, with the level of support already thrown at us, I believe a new episode of luxury is about to grace the cityscape,” Mr Ogundele said.
Sujimoto is known for high in class luxury real estate assets boasting of some of the best in class accommodation for the very few who seek exclusive and well-designed residential properties.
Some of the well-known brands are LucreziaBySujimoto, LorenzoBySujimoto, GiulianoBySujimoto, and currently under development the LeonardoBySujimoto, amongst several others.
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.
