The Oyo State Government has announced plans to bring hotels, lounges, nightclubs, eateries and other hospitality businesses operating across the state into its tax and regulatory system as part of measures to improve revenue generation, strengthen security and build a reliable database for the tourism sector.
The government disclosed this during the Oyo State Tourism and Hospitality Conference held on Thursday at the Local Government Staff Training Hall, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
The conference was organised by the state Ministry of Culture and Tourism Development in collaboration with ITC Advisory Services.
The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism Development, Wasiu Olatubosun, said the government was concerned about the large number of hospitality establishments that had either not registered with the state or had failed to meet their financial obligations consistently.
According to him, the lack of proper registration and irregular remittance by some operators had continued to affect the state’s ability to generate revenue from the hospitality industry.
Olatubosun explained that the government’s renewed engagement with operators would be implemented through a three-stage process involving identification, cooperation and enforcement.
He disclosed that the enforcement phase of the initiative is scheduled to begin in October 2026, urging operators to use the period of engagement to regularise their businesses and comply with the relevant government requirements before enforcement begins.
The commissioner said the government’s objective goes beyond taxation, stressing that accurate information about hospitality establishments would also assist the state in planning, security coordination and tourism development.
He further directed hospitality operators to provide monthly data on the number of customers patronising their establishments.
According to him, the information would help the Oyo State Bureau of Statistics develop a more accurate database while also supporting security agencies and government authorities in coordinating activities within the hospitality sector.
Oyo Government proposes digital guest verification system
One of the major issues discussed at the conference was the introduction of digital systems aimed at improving the organisation and security of the hospitality industry in Oyo State.
The Director of ITC Advisory Services, Olabode Ajetunmobi, said the state has significant potential to emerge as one of Nigeria’s leading tourism and hospitality destinations if the sector is properly organised and supported.
Ajetunmobi disclosed that the proposed Oyo Guest Identity Verification System and Oyo Booking Platform were designed to create a more structured, secure and competitive hospitality environment.
He clarified that the proposed initiatives were not intended to place additional pressure on hotels and other hospitality operators but to provide benefits for establishments that are properly licensed and compliant with government regulations.
He said participating businesses could gain access to state-backed digital visibility and guest identity verification, which could improve customer confidence and strengthen safety within hotel facilities.
Other proposed benefits include discounted outdoor advertising, health insurance support for hotel workers, discounted access to Property Management System services through Stay Flow, reliable internet support and improved opportunities to reach tourists, visitors and corporate clients.
Ajetunmobi urged hospitality operators to see compliance as an opportunity to gain access to more customers, visibility and government-backed support rather than viewing it solely as an obligation.
He said the proposed digital infrastructure would help create a hospitality industry that is more organised and capable of competing effectively.
Oyo Assembly pledges support for tourism development
Also speaking at the conference, the lawmaker representing Oyo East/Oyo West constituency, Olorunpoto Rahman, pledged the support of the Oyo State House of Assembly for initiatives aimed at strengthening the tourism and hospitality sector.
Rahman said the legislature was prepared to work with the executive arm of government to create an environment where tourism businesses could operate in a secure, organised and business-friendly atmosphere.
He noted that the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde had identified tourism as one of the areas requiring attention as part of its broader development agenda.
The lawmaker assured stakeholders that the House of Assembly would continue to support the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Development in its efforts to improve the sector.
He also encouraged government agencies and private operators to collaborate towards positioning Oyo State as a preferred destination for tourists and visitors.
Hoteliers seek stronger government collaboration
The conference also provided an opportunity for stakeholders in the hospitality industry to raise concerns and seek clarification on government policies affecting their businesses.
Participants included representatives of hotels, lounges, nightclubs, eateries and other businesses connected to the tourism and hospitality industry.
Discussions centred on taxation and revenue generation, business compliance, security, customer data, digital transformation and the broader development of tourism in Oyo State.
Stakeholders raised questions about the proposed regulatory measures and the implications for operators, while also discussing ways through which government and private businesses could work together to achieve sustainable growth.
The Chairman of the Hoteliers Association, Ayodele Ogundele, called for stronger cooperation between the government and hospitality operators.
Ogundele maintained that improved communication and collaboration between both sides could produce an arrangement that benefits government, businesses and customers.
The conference also featured presentations on security and public safety compliance, business continuity and sustainability, as well as strategies for improving revenue generation and identifying new opportunities within Oyo State’s hospitality industry.
With the enforcement phase expected to commence in October 2026, hospitality operators across the state are now being encouraged to complete their registration and meet the government’s requirements ahead of the next stage of the initiative.