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From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
The federal, states and local governments have been called upon to provide support and an enabling environment to support the hospitality industry for the nation’s hospitality industry.
The Secretary Southwest Zone of Hoteliers Association and National Secretary of Nigeria Hotels, Dr Oladapo Olaleye, made the call while addressing newmen at a press conference heralding the Ekiti 2026 Biennial Conference of the association billed to hold from April 19 to 21 in Ado-Ekiti, capital of the state.
According to him, the gathering will bring together hoteliers from the six southwest states, who will deliberate on how to create a more conducive environment for the growth of hospitality business in the region.
Olaleye who explained that maintaining hotel facilities is highly capital-intensive as it requires continuous investment in property upgrades to remain competitive as well as meet the taste of customers, said larger percentage of the profit made from the business are channelled into maintaining the facilities, making it difficult for owners to reinvest the income from the business.
He identified that low patronage, high taxation, rising prices of goods and services, epileptic power supply, poor road access among others are also some of the challenges facing hoteliers, hence making operations more difficult and business less lucrative.
He noted that despite the challenges the sector has continued to contribute immensely to human capital development being one of the major employers of labour in the country.
Olaleye therefore appealed to the various levels of government to support hoteliers in the areas of soft loans, provision of infrastructure, intervention programmes, among other areas to lift operators, help sustain the sector and make the business more attractive.
“The fact is that if you build an hotel, it is very difficult for the owner to get money from that hotel to build another one. If somebody manages to build a well-structured hotel, with the inclement economic weather and the obnoxious taxation facing us, and even with low patronage, it will be very difficult to get money from that hotel to build another standard hotel and it is not supposed to be so.
” When we go to government and we tell them that we need assistance, they will tell us that hoteliers are millionaires, they will not answer us, but if market women, bricklayers association, and others go to them they will give them buses, they will give them money but they believe we are millionaires and we are not.
” The highest employer of labour is the hospitality sector. Hardly can you find an industry now besides an hotel that will have five, six staff but hoteliers try as much as possible to contribute to human capacity, and development of individuals, at least, put smiles on the faces of some people that are supposed to be in penury, at least, they will be able to take care of their families, they will not depend on people but rather they will know at the end of the month they are going to get something.
” We are still using this opportunity to call on the government to assist us. They can assist us in so many ways. Sometime ago, they said they will partner with industrial bank so that we can get some loans, nothing came out of it. And if they give us soft loans, this will help us to put up some things.
“The most important thing in an hotel is maintenance. Prices of goods and services are skyrocketing because of the inflation. This is why we are finding it difficult to stay above board. We are calling on the government to assist us. They should try and give us soft loans. The roads to some hotels are not good. The epileptic power supply is also negatively affecting our business. How many of our hotels can afford standard solar? And the cost of buying diesel is even taking most of the profit. In hotels where you find gigantic and beautiful structures, I can tell you that their owners are sourcing for funds else where to maintain the structures.”
Speaking on the forthcoming conference, Olaleye said :
“The Southwest conference is an opportunity for all the hoteliers in the southwest to gather together twice in a year for all of us to brainstorm, to address the issues affecting our industry, just like the multiple taxation and other things.
“The conference is also an avenue to honour some of our heroes, the founding fathers of hoteliers in Nigeria. We will celebrate some individuals who are not hoteliers but have contributed meaningfully to the growth and development of their communities. We will also recognise some captains of industry.
” Ekiti is going to benefit a lot from this conference because people will come from across the southwest states and even from other states.”
Earlier in his remarks, the President of Ekiti State Hoteliers Association, Hon. Akin Abimbola, who said the theme for the 2026 conference is”Regulatory Framework and Policy: Creating a conducive environment for hospitality growth in the Southwest region of Nigeria”noted that this is vital for the growth and development of the industry.
He hinted that over two thousand participants including prominent hoteliers, industry experts, government officials, captains of industry among other notable individuals from across the southwest states and other states are expected at the event.
Abimbola disclosed that the decision to choose Ekiti as the host state is because of its tourism and hospitality potentials coupled with the state’s airport that has fully commenced commercial operations.
He also disclosed that there will be induction of some individuals, who have contributed immensely to the hospitality sector, into the Hall of Fame and there will be a gala night with Governor Biodun Oyebanji, for providing an enabling environment for hospitality business to thrive in the state.
“Our state is a hub for tourism and hospitality, with a growing reputation as a top destination. We have got a newly constructed cargo airline, and our infrastructural development is attracting investors.
“We are ready to showcase our hospitality! This year’s theme, “Regulatory Framework and Policy: Creating a conducive environment for hospitality growth in the Southwest region of Nigeria,” is crucial to our industry’s development.
“With over 2000 participants from the six Southwest states, including prominent hoteliers, industry experts, and government officials, we are poised to make a significant impact. We will be investing in the best of the best – literally! This year, we will induct deserving hoteliers into the Hall of Fame, and we are throwing a luxury gala night with the state Governor, His Excellency, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji.
” Let us celebrate his efforts in creating a conducive environment for hotel business in Ekiti! To all hotel owners, Chief Executive Officers(CEOs), managers, and operators, make Ekiti Kete 2026 a priority. Let us engage, collaborate, and shape the future of hospitality in our region! ”
Abimbola cautioned hotel owners against illegal operations, urging those who have not registered to register with the state government and with the association.
“There is a provision in Ekiti State, the tourism regulatory law 2020, number six of the law passed by the Ekiti State House of Assembly, provides that no one can operate an hotel or any hospitality establishment in the state without being registered with the bureau of tourism and hospitality development. And article six of that act talked about the prerequisites for registration. Number one of them is that, one must be a member of the hoteliers association. It shows you cannot operate an hotel in Ekiti State without registering with the tourism board . And to register with the tourism board you must be a member of the hoteliers association.
“This bill is being sponsored by the hoteliers association of Nigeria southwest zone to get across all the southwest because we will not allow miscreants and unscrupulous elements to take over this hospitality business . There are people who believe they can just wake up and start operating an hotel without registering with the government or the association. The state government now is ready to clamp down on hotels that are operating illegally.”
He hailed Governor Oyebanji for his supportive roles and for brining on board policies that have been guiding and protecting the hospitality industry in the state.
“One of the roles of this association in the southwest level is to bring sanity and standardisation to this business and that is why I will commend the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, who has taken the lead in putting in place provisions of the law that are guiding this industry. We appreciate the relationship between the state government and the association.”
