The Oyo State Government has commenced an enforcement drive against unregistered hospitality establishments across the state, issuing contravention notices to over 100 hotels and guest houses within Ibadan metropolis for violating the state’s tourism and hospitality laws.
The exercise, carried out by the Oyo State Ministry of Culture and Tourism through the State Tourism Board, was led by the Director of Administration and Supplies, Mr Ayodele Adesope. It followed years of sensitisation efforts aimed at compelling hotel owners to regularise their operations.
Officials of the ministry pasted contravention notices on the affected facilities, directing owners to finalise their registration or renewal within seven days from the date of the notice, failure of which would attract stiff penalties as prescribed by law.
The notice warned that continued operation without registration contravenes Sections 3 and 16(1)(a) of the Oyo State Tourism and Hospitality Law No. 22 of 2020. Under the law, any hospitality establishment that fails to comply is liable, upon conviction, to closure, a fine of ₦200,000, and an additional ₦50,000 penalty before the premises can be reopened.
Speaking during the exercise, Mr Adesope explained that the enforcement became necessary after several hospitality operators ignored repeated calls to comply with the law.
“We initially went round the state to sensitise all hospitality owners on the need to register or renew their facilities,” he said.
“But to the surprise of the state government, some hoteliers have remained recalcitrant. We reached out through all available media platforms, yet many refused to cooperate. That is what necessitated today’s enforcement.”
According to him, the operation began in Ibadan and will be extended to other parts of the state, including Oke-Ogun, Ogbomosho, and surrounding axes.
“So far, we have covered about 100 locations between Tuesday and Thursday, starting from the Ibadan axis. We expect compliance before the expiration of the seven-day notice, and we are optimistic that about 80 per cent of those served will comply,” Adesope added.
He noted that some hotel owners had already begun visiting the Tourism Board to enquire about registration procedures following the issuance of the notices.
Also speaking, the Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Hotel Owners Association, Prince Adekunle Adesanya, expressed concern over the low compliance rate among hoteliers despite years of sensitisation.
“This has been going on for the past two to three years. We have consistently sensitised both our members and non-members to register their hospitality facilities,” Adesanya said.
“We have more than 10,000 hotels in Oyo State, yet those that have registered are not even up to 400.”
He stressed that the government’s insistence on registration is largely driven by security concerns.
“We don’t want insecurity in Oyo State. What happens in some other states concerning hospitality businesses is not what we want here. That is why this exercise is necessary and worth it,” he said.
Adesanya clarified that the current phase of the operation is still at the sensitisation level, with enforcement actions such as sealing of premises expected to follow after the expiration of the notice period.
“The next time we go out with the Tourism Board, hotels that have failed to comply will be locked up, and they will not be allowed to operate until they do the necessary thing,” he warned.
He also likened the registration requirement to operational certifications in other sectors.
“If you build a hospital, you must obtain certification before operating. Same with schools. What the Tourism Board is asking for is an operational certificate that allows hotels to operate legally in the state,” he explained.
Calling on hoteliers to cooperate, Adesanya said the association does not condone any action capable of threatening public safety.
“We want everybody to be under one banner. Registering your hotel does not require much. I implore all hoteliers in Oyo State to comply within the stipulated time,” he added.
Among the hospitality establishments issued contravention notices during the exercise were Cartlon Gate Xclusive Hotel, Secretariat; Candow A5, Secretariat; 77 Palms, Ikolaba; Cartlon Gate Hotel, Ikolaba; Owu Crown Hotels, Iwo Road; Mingles Hotels and Suites, Iyana-Church; PAMDIN Hotels, Alakia; Colorado Hotel, Alakia; Muajas Hotel and Suites, Aba-Ode, Alakia; Mascot Guest House, Aba-Ode, Alakia; Emmadex Hotel and Suites, Alakia; Mogaji Guest House, Iyana Agbala; Perfecto Hotel, Adegbayi Olode; De Sellas Palace Hotel and Suites, Alakia; Oasis Palace Hotel, Alakia; Sinat G Hotel, New Gbagi; Softlife Luxury Hotel, New Gbagi; Brown Hotel and Suites, New Gbagi; Success Model Hotel, Old Ife Road; Omowunmi Hotel, Orita Aperin; Dalston Hotel and Suites, Olorunsogo; White House Hotel, Abonde; Triple D Luxury Hotel, Ogbere; Osho Hotels and Suites, Ona-Awaye; and Munsrad Hotel, Amuloko, Ariyo Bus Stop.
