The General Manager of Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort, Lanre Sharafa Balogun, has urged hospitality operators to strengthen collaboration with law enforcement agencies and comply with regulatory requirements ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Balogun made the call at the JAGZ Hospitality Conference 2.0, held at JAGZ Hotel in Ibadan, where hospitality practitioners and security officials examined the security and regulatory challenges facing the industry ahead of the elections.
He said hotel owners and managers must recognise regulation as an essential part of running hospitality businesses, noting that hotels operate within a legal framework and have a responsibility to work with relevant authorities.
“As practitioners, as hotel owners, and as managers of hotels, we can’t shy away from being regulated. We are governed by law, we are regulated by law,” he said.
According to him, effective regulation also forms part of the government’s responsibility to create a secure environment for businesses while protecting citizens and operators from activities that could undermine their investments.
Balogun said stronger ties between hospitality businesses and security agencies would help hotels identify and address security threats before they damage their operations.
“What this event is about is to re-emphasise and to re-echo the need for partnership with law enforcement agents to protect us as a business,” he said.
He noted that the hospitality sector was particularly vulnerable to the reputational consequences of security incidents, as crimes committed within or around hotels could have a direct impact on patronage.
Balogun cited kidnapping and fraud among incidents capable of damaging the reputation of hospitality establishments.
“If you have a kidnapping happening in a hotel, if you have an unremarkable case happening in a hotel, a fraudulent issue in a hotel, it’s going to affect your business,” he said.
He added that such incidents could also create the impression among potential customers that a hotel had links with criminal elements.
“People who want to go there, they will think you are associated with such kind of bad guys,” he added.
The Ikogosi Resort GM welcomed the conference as an opportunity for hotel operators and security agencies to engage directly, saying similar initiatives should be sustained and expanded.
He also stressed that security could not be treated as an issue for law enforcement agencies alone, urging hospitality businesses to play their part through compliance, vigilance and cooperation.
“The take home is that we must be regulated, and let’s partner with the regulatory authorities to ensure that our hospitality industry and our hotels and resorts are safe,” Balogun said.
Also speaking at the conference, the Oyo State Commissioner of Police cautioned hoteliers against allowing their establishments to become political offices as activities ahead of the 2027 elections gather momentum.
The police commissioner urged hotel operators to maintain a clear distinction between providing hospitality services and complying with security requirements, particularly as increased political activity is expected to place additional pressure on hotels and other hospitality facilities.
