Travel/Tourism
Transcorp Hilton Abuja Celebrates at 30
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Transcorp Hilton Abuja Hotel is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, having officially opened its door to its first guest on April 21, 1987.
The iconic hotel, which has through the years, hosted royalty, Presidents, global leaders, celebrities and other dignitaries, gathered friends, partners, clients, its board members and staff to commemorate its legacy and rich history as a pioneer in Nigeria’s hospitality sector.
Built on 20 hectares of land, the 670 bedroom 5-star hotel began operations as Nicon Noga Hilton Hotel, a member of the Hilton family of brands.
To commemorate this milestone, Transcorp Hilton Abuja hosted a cocktail and dinner with an array of entertainment and activities, highlighting and celebrating the impact of Transcorp Hilton as an iconic landmark in Nigeria.
Speaking at the dinner, Rudi Jagersbacher, President, Middle East and North Africa, Hilton Worldwide commended the Transcorp Hilton stating that its contribution to the brand equity and perception of Hilton Worldwide has been recognised all over the world.
“I would like to commend the entire hotel team for their incredible passion and commitment to delivering excellent experiences for our guests from around the world” he said.
Since its opening Transcorp Hilton Abuja, has played host to numerous high-profile and celebrity studded events, such as the ECOWAS, World Economic Forum Africa, Miss World Pageant, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), amongst others.
Opening the anniversary event, Mr Tony Elumelu, Chairman of Transcorp Plc, owners of Transcorp Hilton Abuja, thanked guests and shareholders for begin a part of the journey so far.
“On behalf of the board of Transcorp Plc, thank you for your custom, patronage and your good will. You are the reason we are celebrating today,” he said.
Mr Elumelu added that Transcorp Hilton has transcended the description of being just a hotel to becoming one of Nigeria’s most valued icons.
“Transcorp is not just a company owned by people but an iconic institution owned by every Nigerian. Transcorp Hilton Abuja is beyond the Transcorp franchise; it is a national icon,” he concluded.
In line with its strategic goals, earlier this year, Transcorp Hilton Abuja embarked on a $100 million renovation project to deliver on its promise of customer excellence. In 2016 alone, the hotel has won 11 awards and nominations on customer service and innovation.
The exclusive dinner was well attended, guests included Dr Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources; Simon Vincent, Executive Vice-President, Hilton, Europe, Middle-East and Africa; Dr Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment; Chika Balogun, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR); Adim Jibunoh, CEO/President, Transcorp Plc and Valentine Ozigbo, CEO, Transcorp Hotels Plc amongst others.
West African Idol winner, Timi Dakolo graced the stage, launching the Transcorp Hilton anthem. Kaffy, Waje and KCee also entertained guests.
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.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Emirates has become the first airline cargo carrier to deploy the Boeing 777-300ERSF passenger-to-freighter converted aircraft.
The aircraft (A6-EBK) will enter commercial service with a flight from Hong Kong to Dubai carrying over 100 tonnes of cargo, a statement from the airline operator stated.
The converted Emirates Boeing 777-300ERSF offers 100 tonnes of payload capacity and 811 m³ of cargo volume, representing a 25 per cent increase in cargo volume over the Boeing 777-F production freighter.
At 47 pallet positions, the converted aircraft also accommodates 10 additional pallet positions when compared with the Boeing 777-F production freighter, making it ideal for transporting volumetric cargo such as e-commerce goods, which currently constitute around 20 per cent of global air cargo tonnage with further growth projected in the next few years.
The converted Boeing 777-300ERSF is the sixth new freighter, following five Boeing 777-F production freighters, to join Emirates SkyCargo’s fleet since March 2026.
As part of its ambitious expansion strategy, Emirates SkyCargo will also be taking delivery of five additional Boeing 777-F aircraft as well as one additional converted Boeing 777-300ERSF by December 2026.
Emirates SkyCargo will also be introducing three additional converted Boeing 777-ERSFs into its fleet in 2027.
“The induction of the first converted Emirates Boeing 777-300ERSF into operational service represents the next step in the expansion of our fleet and operational agility.
“We are optimising our fleet assets by converting older Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft to meet the growing demand for air cargo capacity to transport goods rapidly across the world,” Emirates SkyCargo’s Divisional Senior Vice President, Badr Abbas, commented.
“Combined with our growing fleet of Boeing 777-F production freighters, we have already been able to scale our global freighter network from just over 40 destinations in February this year to 62 destinations currently and growing.
“We are providing our global customers with scalable cargo capacity and ultimate flexibility and connectivity when moving cargo to and through our hub in Dubai,” Abbas added.
