The Federal Government has urged hotel owners and managers nationwide to prevent their facilities from being used for illegal activities as preparations for the 2027 general election gather momentum. hoteliers
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, gave the charge in his keynote address at the JAGZ Hospitality Conference 2026, held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Represented by the Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Justice Sector Reform and ICT/Digital and Innovative Technology, Fernandez Marcus-Obiene, Fagbemi, said the hospitality sector was crucial to ensuring peaceful elections through the provision of accurate data on lodgers.
Speaking on the theme of the conference, “The Hotel at the Centre: Money, Elections, Security,” Fagbemi urged hotel managers to provide security agencies with necessary information about customers or groups using their facilities.
He also stressed the need for stronger cooperation, professionalism, regulatory compliance and political neutrality as the 2027 polls approach.
The convener and Group Managing Director of Charis Ultimo Hotels Limited, Lugard Agbomoagan, said the hospitality sector had evolved beyond lodging to become linked with international tourism, foreign investment, cross-border transactions and regional business.
“Our central question is simple: When money, politics, security and cross-border business enter the hotel, who guides the hotelier? We are not here to portray hotels as places of danger or suspicion. We are here because responsible hospitality requires preparedness, professionalism and compliance,” Agbomoagan said.
He said hoteliers must understand how to protect guests and employees, meet their financial and regulatory responsibilities, and respond appropriately when security concerns arise.
“In an increasingly connected world, hotel operators must also understand the legal and operational realities that arise when guests, businesses, payments and transactions cross borders,” he said.
Agbomoagan said hotels would inevitably host politicians, campaign teams, journalists, business leaders and security personnel as the 2027 electoral cycle approaches, making preparedness essential.
“As we approach the 2027 electoral cycle, this conversation becomes even more relevant. So we must ask ourselves now: Are our hotels prepared? This is why we have deliberately brought together people who see these issues from different perspectives,” he said.
On security at The JAGZ, he said the hotel had a Surveillance Unit that monitored the facility round-the-clock using CCTV.
