Nigeria: Akwa Ibom Budgets N26.91bn for Hotel Renovation, Temporarily Shuts Down Facility

What the report says

Akwa Ibom State has set aside N26.91 billion across its 2025 and 2026 budgets for work on Ibom Hotels and Golf Resort in Uyo, according to Premium Times, as relayed by AllAfrica. The spending covers refurbishment, furnishing and repairs to the hotel’s electrical and mechanical systems. The resort, one of the state’s best-known tourism assets, has been under rehabilitation since March 2025.

The government also announced that the hotel will fully close from 22 August to allow renovation work to be completed and to support a transition to new management. The notice was signed by the commissioners for information and for culture and tourism. The golf course will remain open, and the state said the change is meant to improve operations and service standards.

Premium Times said the state has not publicly released a full project plan, including the overall cost, contractor, release and spending details, or a completion date. It also noted that the 2025 budget provided N16 billion for hotel-related renovations, followed by N10.91 billion in 2026, bringing the two-year total to N26.91 billion. The report said the lack of detailed performance updates makes it difficult to judge how much has already been spent.

The management of Ibom Hospitality Limited is expected to move to ALEPH Hospitality from 22 August. The government said no worker would be dismissed solely because of the transition, though some staff may be reassigned or may not continue under the new arrangement.