Travel/Tourism
Transcorp Hotels to Intensify Investment in Innovative Products
By Dipo Olowookere
One of Africa’s leading hospitality companies, Transcorp Hotels Plc, has promised to continue to invest in innovative products that will continue to mesmerise its guests and make them come back again.
The Managing Director/CEO of Transcorp Hotels, Mrs Dupe Olusola, gave this assurance while addressing shareholders at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at Transcorp Hilton Abuja on Monday.
“Our key focus will be a continued investment in innovation that allows us to be dynamic and agile whilst delivering superior offerings and service to all our guests.
“We will continue to innovate and optimise all the facets of our business, from operational efficiency to guest engagement, and bolstering direct revenue.
“The good cost-saving habits and financial strengths that we cultivated during nearly two years of volatile market conditions will be enhanced,” she stated.
Mrs Olusola disclosed that in the 2021 fiscal year, the occupancy, and proportion of hotel accommodation occupied, which started at 55 per cent in January, grew steadily to an all-time high of 80 per cent in December 2021.
She further said the Average Daily Rate (ADR) also grew from N69,000 in January 2021 to N83,000 in December 2021, noting, “We remained the superior choice for all, including numerous world leaders and dignitaries from around the world who we hosted in 2021.”
“We continued to reinforce our position as the all-around industry leader with an increased focus on delivering excellent service quality, customer satisfaction and security,” she added.
In her presentation, the Chief Financial Officer of the firm, Mrs Oluwatobiloba Ojediran, stated that the company continued its impressive performance despite the economic headwinds.
According to her, “Gross profit grew 143 per cent to N16.23 billion for the year ended December 31, 2021, as against N6.67 billion reported in 2020. We also recorded a 114 per cent growth in revenue to N21.74 billion from N10.16 billion in 2020.”
To reward the shareholders for their loyalty, the board recommended the payment of N717 million, which was approved at the gathering.
The chairman of the board, Mr Emmanuel Nnorom, while speaking at the event, said “Our disciplined approach to financial management has continued to yield results as reflected in reduced finance cost during the year.
“During the year, Transcorp Hotels maintained its credit rating for the Company and the Bonds, as two prominent rating agencies affirmed the company’s stable” outlook.”
A shareholder of Transcorp Hotels, Mr Olatunde Okelana, applauded the company for its inclusiveness, especially its board, which he said has equal representation of males and females.
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.
