2027 Elections: Hoteliers, security agencies seek stronger collaboration
By Oluwaseyi Oduneye-Ogunwomoju
Hospitality stakeholders on Thursday converged in Ibadan for the Jagz Hospitality Conference 2.0 to discuss security challenges in hotels ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The conference, themed, “The Hotel, at the Centre,” was organised to strengthen collaboration among industry operators and security agencies and enhance the safety of hotel guests and facilities.
Mrs Toyin Ehindero-Benson, Zonal Coordinator, Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), urged hoteliers to guard against money laundering and other financial crimes.
Ehindero-Benson called for the reduction of cash transactions and third-party payments, stressing the need for financial transactions to reflect customers’ profiles.
“Ensure that payment is consistent with customer profiles,” she said.
She said the EFCC no longer raided hotels indiscriminately, but worked in synergy with relevant authorities and hotel compliance officers.
“We now work closely with compliance officers in terms of communication and intelligence sharing,” she said.
Ehindero-Benson urged hoteliers to report transactions above N5 million for individuals and N10 million for corporate organisations.
The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Mr Olugbenga Abimbola, called for increased cooperation between hoteliers and security agencies, particularly the police.
Abimbola said police visits to hotels were usually based on specific security objectives.
“When we come, it is for a purpose,” he said.
He advised hoteliers to ensure controlled access to their facilities, including parking areas, and maintain functional closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras.
“Parking spaces must be well monitored with constantly working CCTV cameras,” he said.
The CP also advised hotel managers to conduct proper background checks on prospective employees before offering them jobs.
Mr Lugard Agbomoagan, Group Managing Director, Jagz Africa/Jagz Hotels, Ibadan, said the conference was organised to enable stakeholders to anticipate and prevent security breaches during the electioneering period.
“We are aware that during this period of electioneering, a lot will be going on, including security issues and associated activities.
“Every member of staff of the hotel is well-informed and well-prepared on what to do.
“We even have an in-house legal practitioner to ensure compliance with anti-money laundering regulations and other regulatory directives.
“I am a lawyer myself, so I understand what could happen during this period.
“I can tell you authoritatively that we cannot be used for any illicit transactions, electoral offences or vices,” Agbomoagan said.
He said the hotel had continued to cooperate with law enforcement agencies and the state government to prevent security breaches before, during and after elections.
Mr Lanre Balogun, General Manager, Glocient Hospitality, said hotels contributed to national security through employment generation and revenue creation.
Balogun, whose organisation manages Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort, Ikogosi-Ekiti, said the hospitality industry also played an important role in Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
“Hoteliers are industry leaders in Nigeria,” he said.
Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun, Oyo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, urged hotel operators to cooperate with the government on tax compliance.
