Hope rises for Enyimba Hotel after 46 years of abandonment

…Radisson to the rescue

…Project, one of Sam Mbakwe’s legacies

Whenever you drive along the Aba-Ikot Ekpene Expressway in Ogbor Hill, Aba, there is always a gigantic structure on your face.

The Enyimba International Hotel, a 125-room seven storey five-star hotel, stands tall as a remarkable landmark in Ogbor Hill.

The hospitality infrastructure project was envisaged by the promoter (the then Imo State government) to be a hub for quality relaxation and top conference and meeting venue for the business community in Aba, the commercial hub of the state.

Its location beside the Aba River that flows down to the Azumini Blue River complemented its leisure appeal.

Sadly, the project, which was flagged off in 1979 by the then Imo State government under Sam Mbakwe, and inherited by Abia State from the old Imo State’s assets sharing in 1991, has remained uncompleted, 46 years after.

Although the Imo Airport, one of the legacies of the Sam Mbakwe, which was inaugurated in 1981, has since been operational, on its part, the Enyimba Hotel has witnessed several challenges for the 46 years under many governors who cared less.

State of the hotel

Due to the long years of abandonment, the hotel and its expansive premises became a hideout for hoodlums in Aba. It was later used as residence for Mobile Police personnel until 2016 when the Ikpeazu-led government indicated interest to attract an investor who would partner the Aba Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, (ACCIMA) to make the place functional.

The ACCIMA plan did not work as expected, and the hoodlums besieged the abandoned hotel project again until date.

Read also: Swiss International to inject N6bn into Enyimba Hotels

Completion attempt

Of course, there have been attempts from both the government and private sector to realize the hotel project, amid setbacks.

Shortly after the assets sharing in 1991, the Aba Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, (ACCIMA), acquired the hotel from the Abia State government, but was unable to complete it due to paucity of funds.

In 2016, ACCIMA signed an agreement with Swiss International, and thereafter, handed over the hotel to the international hotel brand to complete and manage.

During the flag-off of the construction in August 2016, Wasiu Babalola, the then managing director, Africa, Swiss International Hotels and Resorts, said that the work would last between 12 to 18 months.

But the ACCIMA/ Swiss International agreement failed to lift the hotel.

On January 7, 2025, The Abia State Government made another effort to realize the project by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Radisson Hotel Group, to reconstruct the five-star hotel project.

This time and under Alex Otti, the Abia State government seems serious at completing the hotel, which has been 80 percent completed since 1979.

The agreement includes expanding the Enyimba Hotel complex to include a 2,500-seater hall that would serve as an international conference centre, multiple smaller halls, and a large exhibition space.

Commitment to completion of the hotel

According to Ferdinand Ekeoma, special adviser on media to Governor Alex Otti, “The signing of MoU between Abia State Government and Radisson Hotel Group marks another turning point in the life of the Alex Otti-led government in its quest to revamp moribund industries and institutions in the state, a move that has continued to attract applause and commendations from Abians”.

Before the agreement was signed, Ekeoma explained that Governor Otti had to resolve the legal and contractual issues that threatened his administration’s plan for the hotel project.

According to him, Governor Otti opted for the Radisson Blu brand because of the company’s reputation in the hospitality business.

On the part of Radisson Hotel Group, Ervan Garnier, the group’s Director of Development for Africa, said that the objective of the group is to double its portfolio in Nigeria. “We have identified Eastern cities, which include Aba in Abia State. This is why we are partnering with the Abia State government. We often look at existing properties, in this case Enyimba, which have multiple benefits, the benefits of often being in a prime location although built a long time ago.”

Completion period

The project is expected to be completed within 24 months, meaning that doors will open to the public by February 2027, if there is no interruption.

Reality

Many hospitality experts think that the hotel will be completed this time because Radisson Hotel Group is reputable and serious with its expansion drive in Nigeria and Africa.

“With five operational hotels and many almost completed across the country, I think the group is serious and will deliver. I am happy that Abia chose the group,” Ehis Ekine, a hotelier said.

The anticipated/new hotel

The plan, according to Ukeje Uche, director general, Greater Aba Development Authority, is to have a 250-room hotel when complete. He noted that 125 rooms would be completed in the first phase and a total of 250 rooms in the second phase.

By the agreement, Radisson Hotel Group will manage the hotel when completed as a Radisson Blu brand.

It will also offer a 2,500-seater hall that would serve as an international conference centre, multiple smaller halls, and a large exhibition space.

Job opportunities

The Greater Aba Development Authority boss disclosed that the hotel on completion will create about 500 direct jobs and 4500 others through the value chain.

Radisson Hotel Group

The hotel group is among the world’s leading hospitality companies with a footprint on every continent.

In Nigeria, it runs five operational properties including; Radisson Blu Anchorage Lagos, its flagship hotel in Nigeria, Radisson Blu Hotel Ikeja, Radisson Hotel Ikeja, Park Inn By Radisson Lagos and Park Inn By Radisson Abeokuta.

It also has many hotels in the pipeline across the country with some almost completed including Radisson Collection, Radisson Red, among other brands.