Sanwo-Olu warns hospitality operators against dumping earlier reservations for higher-paying festive-season guests
The Lagos State Government has warned hospitality operators across the state that it will publicly name and shame businesses that fail to honour reservations made ahead of the Detty December festive season.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu issued the warning during an interview on TVC on Monday, amid growing complaints of sharp price increases and cancelled bookings as the year-end rush intensifies.
The governor said the state has received multiple reports of hotels, short-let apartments, restaurants and clubs abandoning confirmed reservations made months earlier in favour of new customers willing to pay significantly higher rates.
‘This hurts Lagos’ brand’ — Sanwo-Olu
Sanwo-Olu said such practices undermine Lagos’ reputation as a welcoming, safe and well-organised destination for both residents and visitors.
He disclosed that the government recently engaged directly with hospitality stakeholders to address the issue. According to him, about 250 operators across the hospitality value chain met with the state last Thursday at the Marina.
Discussions at the meeting focused on operators cancelling or altering prior bookings and inflating prices because of increased demand during the festive period.
“When someone books your hotel, Airbnb or restaurant months ahead and you suddenly change the rules because another person wants to pay more, you are damaging your brand,” the governor said.
He warned that the government would no longer tolerate such conduct.
“Not only are we going to name and shame those who do this, the government will also come down hard on them,” Sanwo-Olu stated.
Govt urges moderation despite festive rush
The governor cautioned operators against sacrificing long-term credibility for short-term profit, noting that Detty December lasts only a few weeks, while business reputation lasts all year.
“You should not destroy your brand in one month and expect to survive for the remaining eleven months,” he said, stressing that consistency and integrity are critical to sustaining Lagos’ hospitality economy.
How affected customers can report violations
Sanwo-Olu also outlined steps for residents and visitors affected by booking breaches to seek redress.
He urged affected customers to report verified cases to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the Lagos State Safety Commission, or Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency, assuring that the agencies have been fully briefed to act.
“If you can prove that a commitment was made, please speak up,” the governor said. “We will first intervene to correct the situation, and where necessary, allow the full weight of the law to take effect.”
He added that operators who persist in violating booking agreements will be publicly identified and subjected to regulatory sanctions.
Protecting Lagos’ tourism image
According to Sanwo-Olu, the enforcement strategy is aimed at protecting consumers, preserving confidence in the hospitality sector and safeguarding Lagos’ standing as Africa’s entertainment and tourism capital.
Detty December tourism continues to grow
Lagos’ Detty December season has expanded rapidly in recent years, drawing visitors from the Nigerian diaspora, across Africa and from other parts of the world.
Official figures show that international tourist arrivals rose to 18,273 in 2024, up from 16,798 in 2023 and 14,357 in 2022. The festive season generated $71.6 million in revenue, with hotels accounting for $44 million and short-let apartments contributing $13 million.
However, ahead of the 2025 festivities, reports of extreme pricing, booking cancellations and service delivery concerns have raised alarms within the industry.
Industry experts warn that rising operating costs, inconsistent service quality and weak enforcement could dampen the December tourism boom.
National President of the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN), Femi Fadina, has cautioned that premium pricing without corresponding service quality could push visitors toward rival African destinations, reinforcing the need for fair practices and stronger oversight.
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