The Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism (ANJET) is set to hold the 2026 annual ANJET Conference and Awards with the theme ‘Nigerian tourism industry and Tinubu administration’s immigration reforms.’ The event is billed for end of October this year will hold at Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
As part of the activities for this year’s conference and award, international hospitality giant, the Radisson Group and the Chairman of the Avalon Group, Chief Tajudeen Owoyemi and others will be honoured.
ANJET President Okorie Uguru explained that the awards to both Chief Owoyemi and Radisson Group is in recognition of their contributions in the Nigerian hospitality ecosystem in the last close to 25 years. He said both Owoyemi and the Radisson Group have made so much positive the hospitality industry in Nigeria.
On Chief Owoyemi, the ANJET President said: “For close to 25 years, Chief Tajudeen Owoyemi has quietly, but steadily influenced and shaped the Nigerian hospitality landscape with his conceptualization and building of top hospitality outfits that have helped to redefine hotels’ services and infrastructure.
“In 2005, when there was dearth of privately owned top hospitality outfits outside Lagos and Ibadan, Chief Owoyemi changed the landscape by opening the Avalon Hotel Offa under the management Mr. Trevor Ward’s W Hospitality. Avalon Hotel became the reference point in hotel’s excellence in facilities and excellent services.”
He said despite the massive investment and contribution to the growth of the hospitality industry in Nigeria, Chief Owoyemi always stays under the radar: “Chief Owoyemi works quietly. After Avalon, he embarked on even bigger projects, adding the Radisson Hotel, Radisson Blu Ikeja, and Park Inn by Radisson in Victoria Island, Lagos. Currently, he has other hospitality developments in the pipeline.
“Chief Owoyemi, through his investments, has employed thousands of Nigerians and created job opportunities for others through ancillary services to these hotels.
By investing in the country’s hospitality landscape, Chief Owoyemi has helped the profile of the Nigeria as a business and leisure destination.”
Okorie Uguru also spoke on the contributions of the Radisson Group in Nigeria which has earned the company an award. He said Radisson Group has shown such much consistency And belief in Nigerian economy making it expand so its property portfolio in the country. He continued: “The Radisson Group made its footfall in Nigeria in 2011 when it started managing the Radisson Blu Anchorage Victoria Island, Lagos at the hotel’s inception.
“In the last 15 years it has added Radisson Hotel and Radisson Blu Ikeja, Park Inn by Radisson Victoria Island, Park in By Radisson Abeokuta, and has about five other properties in the pipeline in Lagos, Abuja, Benin, and Aba.
“Over the last 15 years, the Radisson Blu has shown so much loyalty to the Nigerian economy by continue to expand the number of bed spaces it is managing even during difficult economic turmoil.
“As a means passing knowledge, Radisson Group has opened a hospitality academy to bridge the skills gap in the Nigerian hospitality industry.
“It is for these and other positive services to Nigeria that ANJET is honouring the Radisson Group.”
Okorie said the Radisson Group has shown so much loyalty to the Nigerian economy by continue to expand the number of bed spaces it is managing even during difficult economic turmoil.
“As a means passing knowledge, Radisson Group has opened a hospitality academy to bridge the skills gap in the Nigerian hospitality industry.
“It is for these and other positive services to Nigeria that ANJET is honouring the Radisson Group,” he added.