Niyi Agoro:  People Are Our Greatest Investment, Staff Welfare Remains Priority – THISDAYLIVE

Cluster Director of Human Resources for Lagos Continental Hotel and Abuja Continental Hotel, Niyi Agoro, speaks on picketing of the hotel in Abuja by the Trade Union Congress, measures taken to forestall future occurrence, and reassures guests on their safety. Charles Ajunwa brings the excerpts: 

What is the current state of operations at Abuja Continental Hotel after the recent protest by the Trade Union Congress over non-unionisation of staff members?

Abuja Continental Hotel remains fully operational and continues to deliver the exceptional standard of hospitality and service for which it is renowned. While the hotel was subjected to a protest and blockade of its gates by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Monday, 24th August 2026, Management immediately activated appropriate security and business-continuity measures to safeguard our guests, colleagues, business partners and other stakeholders, while minimising any potential disruption to hotel operations. Let me be unequivocal, Abuja Continental Hotel strongly condemns the blockade of its gates in the strongest possible terms. We regard the action as unnecessary and completely inconsistent with the principles of constructive industrial relations. What makes the action particularly concerning is that it was entirely avoidable. Upon receiving correspondence from the TUC dated 3rd August 2026, Management responded in good faith and proposed a meeting date specifically to provide an opportunity for both parties to sit together, engage constructively and address whatever concerns the TUC wished to raise. The TUC did not respond to our correspondence, did not propose an alternative date and did not exhaust the opportunity for dialogue that had been expressly offered. Instead, the next development was the physical blockade of the hotel’s gates on…