Oyo Assembly seeks stringent security measures for hotels

By Adejayan Gbenga

The Oyo State House of Assembly, at its plenary on Tuesday, called for the implementation of a standardised guest registration process that includes valid identification verification and the maintenance of up-to-date guest logs accessible to authorised personnel in hotels and guesthouses across the state.

This was part of the resolutions on a motion sponsored by the lawmaker representing Oluyole State Constituency, Hon. Waheed Akintayo, and co-sponsored by Hon. Rasak Mabaje and Hon. Mrs. Olubisi Michael of Ido and Ogbomoso North State Constituencies, respectively.

Presenting the motion at the plenary presided over by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Abiodun Fadeyi, Hon. Akintayo noted that hotels are increasingly being used by fraudsters, commonly known as “Yahoo Boys,” who engage in cybercrime and sextortion schemes within these establishments.

Hon. Akintayo also observed that a significant number of hotels and guesthouses in Ibadan and across Oyo State are not duly registered with the government, despite the rapid expansion of the hospitality sector.

He added that the lack of adequate registration makes it difficult for regulatory agencies to track operating establishments, enforce security standards, and ensure compliance with necessary regulations.

“Mandatory registration and periodic renewal will enable the government to monitor these businesses effectively and enforce security measures where needed,” the motion stated.

The House has, however, directed its Standing Committee on Security and Strategies and its counterpart on Culture and Tourism to engage all relevant stakeholders, including the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Oyo State Hotel Owners Association, and deliberate on measures to curb the menace of insecurity in hotels and guesthouses across the state.