• Radisson brand anchors in Yenegoa

Sopuruchi Onwuka

Bayelsa State is poised for a significant boost in tourism, hospitality and business activities as plans progress for the commissioning of a Radisson-branded hotel developed by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board in partnership with South Africa’s Edison Corporation.

The Radisson Hotel and Conference Centre Yenagoa, located in the state capital Yenagoa, is scheduled for completion and commissioning in December 2026. Designed to meet global five-star standards, the facility will operate under the Radisson Hotels Group brand, with Edison Corporation, which incorporates Radisson’s operations, appointed to provide hotel management services.

The project is being driven by the NCDMB as part of its broader mandate to deepen local content and stimulate economic development. Speaking during a one-day project management tour and workshop held at the Nigerian Content Tower in Yenagoa, the Board’s Executive Secretary, Engr Felix Omatsola Ogbe, described the hotel as a strategic investment with far-reaching impact.

He said the facility would significantly expand Bayelsa’s capacity to host conferences, corporate gatherings and social events, areas where the state has historically faced limitations due to a lack of high-end hospitality infrastructure.

Engr Ogbe emphasized that the project remains a top priority for the Board, noting that since assuming office in December 2024, he had been committed to ensuring its completion.

He explained that most of the critical elements of the development, including the model room design, scope of work, financing arrangements and contracting strategies, had been resolved.

This, he said, positions the project for steady progress toward delivery within the agreed timeline. He also commended Edison Corporation and the main contractor, Megastar Technical and Construction Company, for maintaining quality standards and a strong pace of execution, while reminding them of the responsibility to meet the December 2026 deadline.

According to Ogbe, the operationalization of the hotel is expected to unlock new economic opportunities for Yenagoa and the wider Bayelsa State, attracting both domestic and international visitors and encouraging increased business travel.

He expressed optimism that the facility would help establish the state as a viable destination for tourism and investment, aligning with his broader vision of diversifying the local economy.

On the partnership, Edison Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer, Vivian Reddy, said his team was enthusiastic about the collaboration and confident in the project’s potential.

General Manager in charge of Corporate Communications at NCDMB, Dr Obinna Ezeobi (in helmet) and other officials of NCDMB interact with visiting Edisson delegation over Radisson Hotel structural model.

He noted that the presence of a globally recognized brand like Radisson would significantly raise the profile of Yenagoa, as the city would become visible to international travelers searching within the Radisson network. He described the development as a transformative project that would help position the area on the global hospitality map.

Reddy disclosed that finalising the agreement with Radisson Hotels Group required extensive negotiations lasting over one and a half years, involving detailed technical, financial and operational documentation.

He said the rigorous process reflects the high standards expected by the brand, and added that Radisson’s decision to commit to the project signals strong confidence in both the location and the long-term potential of the region.

He outlined Edison Corporation’s role as spanning the full lifecycle of the hotel’s delivery, from supporting the final stages of construction to furnishing and preparing the facility for opening.

The company is working closely with Megastar Technical and Construction Company and other professional teams to ensure that every aspect of the hotel meets international quality benchmarks.

Reddy also commended Ogbe’s leadership, describing him as a visionary whose commitment has been central to moving the project forward. He expressed confidence that the collaboration would result in a landmark development, adding that the goal is to deliver what he described as the best hotel in the region.

Further underscoring the project’s scale and ambition, officials said the Radisson Hotel and Conference Centre will function as more than just a hospitality facility.

It is expected to serve as a strategic hub for industry conferences, high-level business meetings and investor engagements, particularly within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and the broader Niger Delta economy.

The development which provides world-class hosting infrastructure is also projected to stimulate ancillary businesses, create employment opportunities and increase overall economic activity in the state.

Members of the Edison Corporation and Radisson International delegation present at the engagement included Brian Sibusiso Mpono and Govindasami Monogren, among others, reflecting the level of international involvement in the project.

The NCDMB, through a statement issued by its General Manager of Corporate Communications, Dr. Obinna Ezeobi, reiterated that the facility is being developed to global standards and is intended to become a cornerstone of Bayelsa’s emerging hospitality and business landscape.

With construction advancing and key partnerships now firmly in place, stakeholders say the project represents a significant step toward repositioning Bayelsa as a destination capable of hosting major regional and international events, while also supporting long-term economic growth in the Niger Delta.