Meet 8 owners of popular hotels in Northern Nigeria  

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The hospitality industry in Northern Nigeria is growing, but it faces a unique set of challenges compared to the southern region. Cities like Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, Jos, Bauchi, and Sokoto have seen increasing demand for quality hotels due to business travel, government functions, and tourism. However, the market is still developing in terms of infrastructure, modern facilities, and luxury-standard services.

Many hotels in the North are operated by dedicated entrepreneurs who have invested heavily to bring international-standard accommodation and amenities to the region.

While there are standout properties offering five-star comfort, conference facilities, and recreational options, some areas still lack the variety and consistency seen in Lagos or Abuja’s southern hotels.

Despite these challenges, the sector shows promise. Investors are improving facilities, expanding brands, and tapping into the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) market.

Northern hospitality often emphasizes local culture, cuisine, and community engagement, giving it a distinct identity compared to other parts of the country.

Rockview Hotel Royale 

Owner:  Chief (Dr.) Vincent Amechi Obianodo, MON 

State: Abuja 

Rockview Hotels is a Nigerian-owned hospitality group with properties in Abuja and Lagos. Founded in 1996, the company operates over 500 rooms across four locations: Rockview Classic and Rockview Royale in Abuja, and Rockview Festac and Rockview Apapa in Lagos. The group caters to both luxury leisure and corporate clients, offering rooms, suites, and serviced apartments.

The company is chaired by Chief (Dr.) Vincent Amechi Obianodo, MON, with Ugbor Vincent serving as Group General Manager since 1997. He is also the founder of the Young Shall Grow Group, a leading transportation company in Nigeria. Born in Neni, Anambra State, He spent his early life in his hometown before moving to Kano state in search of greener pastures.

Rockview Hotels has expanded steadily through property additions and new developments, including apartment-style accommodations in Abuja and Lagos.

Its portfolio emphasizes premium accommodations, conference and event facilities, and leisure amenities. The group’s strategic focus is on strengthening its brand presence in Nigeria’s major urban centers and maintaining high-quality service standards to attract corporate and high-end leisure clientele.

Abuja Continental Hotel 

Owners: Capital Hotel Plc 

State: Abuja 

Abuja Continental Hotel (formerly Sheraton Abuja) is a five-star luxury property in Nigeria’s capital, owned by Capital Hotels Plc. In 2022, 22 Hospitality Ltd, a subsidiary of NIPCO Plc, acquired a 66.13% stake in Capital Hotels, triggering a board overhaul and rebranding of the property. Ramesh Kansagra was appointed Chairman, overseeing strategic renovation and repositioning initiatives.

Kansagra holds a First-Class Honours degree in Microbiology from the University of London (1973). He has more than 30 years of executive experience as Managing Director of Solai Holdings Ltd (SHL), a diversified group with a net asset value in excess of GBP 160 million. SHL’s portfolio spans oil trading, ceramic-industry raw materials, agriculture, food processing, and petrochemicals across Africa and the U.K.

The hotel features 540 rooms and suites, the 3,500 m² Ladi Kwali Conference Centre, and extensive leisure facilities including multiple swimming pools, gyms, tennis and paddle courts. Its food and beverage offerings include multiple restaurants and bars serving international and African cuisine.

Golden Sands Hotel 

Owner: Dr Kolo Baba Jiyah 

State: Kwara 

Dr. Kolo Baba Jiyah is a Nigerian businessman, hotel owner and political figure in Kwara State, with investments spanning hospitality and real estate. He is the proprietor of Silver Gate Hotel and Suites and Golden Sands Luxury Resort, two growing assets in Kwara’s mid-to-upscale lodging market. Golden Sands, located on Olohunoje Road in Ilorin, features 35 rooms across multiple categories, including Golden Standards, Golden Deluxe, Golden Executive rooms, Golden Suites and penthouses. The property is equipped with electronic access systems, programmable safes, high-speed Wi-Fi, and in-room complimentary amenities, positioning it among the state’s more modern accommodation offerings.

A retired customs officer and long-time entrepreneur, Dr. Jiyah is also a prominent figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State. He has been active in regional political advocacy, particularly around increased representation for Kwara North. Jiyah has signalled interest in contesting the 2027 Kwara North Senate seat, framing his platform around community development, equitable political rotation, and economic expansion in the region.

Idrinana Hotels 

Owner: Paul Gowon Iddrisu Haruna 

State: Lokoja Kogi 

Paul Gowon Idrisu Haruna is a Nigerian lawmaker and hospitality investor who represents the Bassa/Dekina Federal Constituency in the 10th National Assembly. A member of the House of Representatives, Haruna has built a parallel career in private enterprise, most notably through his family’s ownership stake in Idrinana Hotels, one of Lokoja’s leading hospitality properties.

Idrinana Hotels, located at 1 Idrinana Close, Lokongoma Phase II in Lokoja, operates as a mid-scale property positioned for business and leisure travel within Kogi State’s capital. The hotel offers modern rooms, air-conditioning, and standard business amenities, and is known for its quiet residential location that appeals to corporate guests seeking privacy and accessibility.

Corporate filings list Haruna as a Director, alongside several members of the Haruna family, including Helen Ojali Gowon Haruna, Mariam Mary Gowon Haruna, Barnabas Ilemona Haruna, Imelda Omondu Haruna, Celebrity Uyo Haruna, Miracle Ojomoma Haruna, and Sunsilas Uchugbedeojo Haruna. The ownership structure reflects a closely held, family-managed hospitality business.

Hillside Royal Hotel 

Owner; Alhaji Muntaka Ahmad 

State: Katsina 

Hillside Royal Suites is a 43-room luxury hotel positioned in the center of Katsina City, offering premium accommodation and tailored guest services in one of northern Nigeria’s emerging commercial hubs. The property’s location and service model have helped establish it as a preferred choice for business and leisure travelers seeking proximity to the city’s administrative and commercial districts.

The hotel is owned by Alhaji Muntaka Ahmad Jikamshi, a Katsina-based entrepreneur whose investments reflect the growing appetite for private-sector–led development within the state’s hospitality market. Jikamshi’s expansion into upscale lodging underscores wider momentum among Katsina’s business community, which has increasingly diversified into formal services and real estate.

Bristol Palace Hotel 

Owner: Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Ida   

State: Kano 

Ibrahim Mohammed Ida is a Nigerian banker, lawyer, politician, and hospitality investor with a career spanning public finance, academia, and private enterprise. Ida served as Senator for Katsina Central from 2007, representing the All Progressives Congress. During his tenure, he sat on key committees including Finance, Defence & Army, Rules & Business, and the electoral oversight panel.

In the private sector, Ida is the Executive Chairman and owner of Bristol Palace Hotel in Kano, a luxury property positioned as one of northern Nigeria’s flagship hospitality investments. Located at 54 Guda Abdullahi Street, the hotel features modern accommodations with rates ranging from about N125,000 to N900,000. His investments in the sector have earned national recognition, including an award for Best Nigerian Tourism Investment. Ida also holds the traditional title of Sardaunan Katsina.

Ida’s professional foundation is rooted in finance and public administration. He holds an AIB from London (1977), an MSc in Banking & Finance from the University of Ibadan (1983), and an LLB/BL from the University of Abuja (2003). Prior to his Senate career, he was Commissioner of Finance in Katsina State and a Permanent Secretary in the Federal Civil Service. He later served as Vice Chancellor of Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina.

Cubana Signature Hotel 

Owner: Obi Iyiegbu 

State: Abuja  

Obinna “Obi” Iyiegbu, widely known as Obi Cubana, is a Nigerian entrepreneur and chairman of the Cubana Group, a fast-growing hospitality and entertainment conglomerate with operations across major Nigerian cities. At 50 years old Iyiegbu has built one of the country’s most recognizable lifestyle brands through a portfolio that spans hotels, lounges, and upscale nightlife destinations.

He entered the hospitality sector in 2006 with the launch of Ibiza Club in Abuja. He expanded the business in 2009 with the establishment of the first Cubana Club in Owerri, setting the foundation for the Cubana Group’s national footprint. The company’s assets include Grand Cubana Hotels in Abuja, Pablo by Cubana and Montana by Cubana in Lagos, Hustle & Bustle in Abuja, and the boutique Cubana Signature hotel in Abuja.

Cubana Signature, located at 9 Ashiek Jarma Street off Umaru Dikko Street in Jabi District, Abuja, features 35 rooms and offers proximity to key city landmarks. The property is within a short drive of Jabi Park, Magic Land Amusement Park, and the Abuja City Gate, and is approximately 39 minutes from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

Iyiegbu holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (1998), and was awarded an honorary doctorate by Enugu State University of Science and Technology in November 2022.

Transcorp Hilton 

Owner: Tony Elumelu (through Heirs Holding) 

State: Abuja 

Transcorp Hilton Abuja, one of Nigeria’s flagship five-star hotels, is owned and managed by Transcorp Hotels Plc, the hospitality subsidiary of Transnational Corporation Plc (Transcorp Group). The property became part of Transcorp’s portfolio after the federal government privatized the asset in 2005, a transaction that later culminated in the National Council on Privatisation issuing Transcorp a Certificate of Discharge in April 2021, confirming full compliance with all post-acquisition obligations. The hotel remains a key revenue driver for Transcorp Hotels, which continues to invest in upgrades and expansion initiatives.

Transcorp Group is a publicly traded conglomerate with a shareholder base of about 300,000 investors. Its largest individual shareholder is Nigerian economist and investor Tony Elumelu, who maintains control through his investment company, Heirs Holdings. Elumelu chairs Heirs Holdings, Transcorp, and United Bank for Africa, and is founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, a leading African entrepreneurship philanthropy. A graduate of Ambrose Alli University and the University of Lagos, he was named to Time magazine’s list of the 100 Most Influential People in 2020.