The South-East region of Nigeria has seen a steady growth in hotels over the past decade, but the hospitality sector still faces challenges alongside its successes.
Many hotel owners in the region are driven by a mix of ambition, opportunity, and the desire to improve local hospitality standards.
While some have managed to create properties that approach international service levels, others are still working to meet consistent quality and operational efficiency.
These hotels range from luxury resorts to mid-scale city properties, offering varying levels of comfort, amenities, and guest services. The entrepreneurs behind them often balance multiple business interests, investing heavily to ensure their hotels stand out in a competitive market.
Despite limited infrastructure, inconsistent power supply, and other systemic challenges in the region, these owners remain committed to creating experiences that appeal to both business travelers and tourists.
Their efforts contribute significantly to the local economy, creating jobs, supporting ancillary businesses, and encouraging regional development. Though the sector is still evolving, the drive, creativity, and resilience of South-East Nigeria’s hotel owners are laying the foundation for a more modern and competitive hospitality industry, slowly bringing the region closer to meeting international standards
- Leadership-CEO Ekene Nnabuihe
- Owerri
Ekene Nnabuihe serves as the Group CEO of Boulevard Hotel Group, one of the fastest-growing pan-African hospitality management and franchise companies with a focus on upper-upscale, upscale, and mid-scale hotels and resorts. With more than 20 years of industry experience, he oversees the Group’s strategic expansion across key African markets, leveraging deep expertise in sales, marketing, and hotel operations.
Ekene began his career as a Sales Executive at the Grand Hotel, Convention Center & Resorts in Asaba, rising quickly through leadership roles across major regional and international brands. He previously served as Director of Sales and Marketing at Lagos Continental Hotel and as Director of Sales at African Sun, a leading hospitality group based in Harare, Zimbabwe. His portfolio also includes senior positions such as Director of Sales and Marketing at Wyndham Abuja and General Manager of Best Western Plus Enugu.
A graduate of the University of Nigeria, Ekene holds an Executive MBA from the Metropolitan School of Business and Management, UK. His leadership continues to position Boulevard Hotel Group as a competitive force in Sub-Saharan Africa’s evolving hospitality market.
