The Federal Government has warned hotel owners and managers across the country against allowing their facilities to be used for illegal activities as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, gave the warning in his keynote address at the 2026 JAGZ Hospitality Conference held in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Fagbemi, who was represented by the Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Justice Sector Reform and ICT/Digital and Innovative Technology, Fernandez Marcus-Obiene, said the hospitality industry had an important role to play in promoting peaceful elections and national security.

He urged hotel operators to cooperate with relevant security agencies by providing necessary information about individuals and groups using their facilities, including accurate records of guests.

The Attorney-General also emphasised the need for professionalism, political neutrality and compliance with relevant regulations as political parties and campaign organisations intensify activities ahead of the elections.

The convener of the conference and Group Managing Director of Charis Ultimo Hotels Limited, Lugard Agbomoagan, said the hospitality industry had become increasingly connected to international tourism, foreign investment, cross-border transactions and regional business activities.

He stressed that hotel operators needed to understand their legal responsibilities and establish appropriate measures to protect guests and employees while responding effectively to security concerns.

Agbomoagan noted that hotels would likely receive increased patronage from politicians, campaign teams, journalists, business leaders and security personnel during the electioneering period, making adequate preparation essential.

He said the conference was designed to bring together stakeholders from the police, anti-money laundering authorities and the hospitality industry to develop practical responses to emerging security and financial challenges.

The Oyo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Wasiu Olatubosun, who represented the state government, called for stronger cooperation between hotel operators and government agencies. He expressed concern about the reluctance of some establishments to provide information needed for planning and effective revenue administration.

Similarly, the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, cautioned hoteliers against allowing their premises to become centres for partisan political activities.

The Zonal Coordinator of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering in Ibadan, Toyin Ehindero-Benson, urged operators to strengthen customer due diligence and financial compliance procedures.

She advised hotels to minimise cash transactions, scrutinise questionable third-party payments and ensure that financial transactions were consistent with customers' known profiles and business activities. She also called for proper documentation and scrutiny of transactions exceeding applicable reporting thresholds.

The conference further examined guest and employee safety, tourism development and collaboration between private businesses, security agencies and regulatory authorities.