Mr. Olugbenga Omotayo Sunday, Convener, Hotel Managers Conference Africa (HMCA)
For the past seven years, the Hotel Managers Conference Africa (HMCA) has led efforts to transform the hospitality industry through impactful knowledge-sharing conferences that bring together top professionals to tackle the sector’s most pressing challenges.
As Nigeria’s hospitality industry evolves in response to increasing demands for improved service delivery and global best practices, the Hotel Managers Conference Africa (HMC) continues to position itself as a leading platform for industry transformation.
From enhancing service delivery and driving sales growth to fostering healthy competition and collaboration among hoteliers, the conference has steadily evolved into one of the hospitality sector’s most influential gatherings.
This year’s edition of HMC Africa 2026, will place a strong emphasis on bridging the talent and knowledge gap within the hospitality sector while promoting professionalism, innovation, and leadership across the industry.
The two-day conference, scheduled for July 11 and 12 at the Lagos Continental Hotel, will bring together about 24 leading professionals and hospitality experts to lead discussions on workforce productivity, hospitality operations, service standards, and technology adoption.
Among the distinguished speakers expected at the conference are Prof. Wasiu Babalola, who will deliver the keynote address, alongside Martin Bredenoord, Karl Hala, Funke Olusoga Ogunlade, and Benedicta Ogar.
The conference was officially unveiled during a press briefing at the Sheraton Lagos Hotel, where stakeholders from across the hospitality and tourism industry gathered to reaffirm their support for the initiative. OPay was also announced as the headline sponsor of the conference.
Speaking at the briefing, Chukwudimma Ezembamlu, Director of Hospitality, Fuel & Gas (Key Account Merchant) at OPay, said the company partnered with HMC Africa as headline sponsor to help tackle payment collection challenges within the hospitality sector.
According to him, the company identified significant gaps in payment processing across hotels and hospitality businesses and has developed tailored solutions designed to ensure seamless and transparent payment systems.
He explained that the partnership is in line with the company’s broader objective of promoting financial inclusion through technology.
The briefing also doubled as the platform for unveiling this year’s speakers and resource persons, many of whom were in attendance at the event.
Speaking on preparations for the conference, convener Olugbenga Omotayo Sunday noted that this year’s edition is adopting a more structured and intentional approach, including the establishment of a dedicated Learning and Development department.
According to him, all keynote sessions, workshops, and panel discussions have been deliberately structured within a learning and development framework to ensure participants derive practical value from the conference.
He added that this year’s edition will place strong emphasis on sales, standards, and service delivery, stressing that the goal is for every attendee to leave the event significantly impacted.
Omotayo described the eighth edition as a “new beginning” for the conference, noting that preparations are nearing completion with sponsors already fully committed. He further stated that the organisers are scaling up every aspect of the event to make it more impactful and results-driven.
One of the key innovations for this year’s edition, according to him, is the introduction of mentorship sessions and specialised breakout meetings designed for different categories of hospitality professionals.
He explained that general managers, food and beverage managers, and executive housekeepers will each have dedicated breakout sessions where industry-specific discussions and mentorship will take place.
He added that the aim is to ensure that the unique professional needs of every participant are adequately addressed.
Omotayo also emphasised the importance of closing the service and knowledge gap between international hotel brands and local operators in Nigeria.
He noted that the conference was created to help local brands adopt global best practices while enhancing guest experiences across hotels in Nigeria.
“We want guests to enjoy the same level of experience whether they are staying in an international hotel brand or a local hotel,” he said.
Several hospitality stakeholders who attended the briefing also praised the conference for its consistency and sustained impact on the industry over the years.
Among those present were Dr. Ebikaboere Seimodei, Adedayo Adesugba, Olatunde Oluloye, and Morenike George-Taylor.
In his remarks, Karl Hala expressed delight that the Lagos Continental Hotel would be hosting the conference for the third time.
He described the conference as forward-looking and commended its contribution to strengthening Nigeria’s hospitality sector.
Hala also called on stakeholders to promote more positive narratives about Nigeria and its tourism industry.
“Bad news travels fast. We need to tell more positive stories about Nigeria to Nigerians and the rest of the world,” he said.
According to him, Nigeria is not just competing with other African countries but is also helping to redefine Africa through its expanding hospitality and tourism potential.
