✈️ NAHCO Raises the Bar with Luxury Airport Hotel at MMIA Lagos
The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) has taken a bold step in its diversification journey with the unveiling of a 20-room luxury airport hotel at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. The move signals NAHCO’s evolution from a traditional ground-handling company into a fully integrated aviation services group.
Sapphire Hotel: Comfort Right Inside the Terminal
The newly launched Sapphire Hotel is strategically located within the Terminal II departure area, offering unmatched convenience for:
• International travellers
• Transit passengers on short layovers
• Business executives seeking comfort close to boarding gates
The hotel is operated by NAHCO Travel and Hospitality Limited, reinforcing the company’s ambition to build a seamless travel ecosystem.
Strong Financials Back the Expansion
The hotel launch comes on the heels of an impressive 2025 financial performance:
• Revenue rose 21.8% to ₦65.21bn (from ₦53.54bn in 2024)
• Gross profit increased to ₦38.61bn
• Operating profit grew 25% to ₦24.84bn
• Profit before tax climbed 30% to ₦24.26bn
• Profit after tax surged nearly 40% to ₦17.99bn
• Earnings per share jumped 40%, from ₦6.60 to ₦9.24
Notably, these gains were achieved despite inflationary pressures, aided by strong cost control, with administrative expenses largely flat.
A Strategic Shift Beyond Ground Handling
Speaking at the launch, Prince Saheed Lasisi, NAHCO’s Group Executive Director for Commercial and Business Development, described the hotel as a deliberate expansion within the aviation value chain.
According to him, NAHCO is positioning itself as a trusted travel partner, moving beyond ground handling to deliver end-to-end travel solutions.
“We guarantee that the guest experience at Sapphire Hotel will be second to none in the country,” he said.
️ Premium Features for Premium Travellers
The CEO of NAHCO Travel and Hospitality Limited, Ms Ruky Ogbetuo, highlighted the hotel’s standout offerings:
• Elegantly furnished luxury rooms
• On-site business office
• Fitness/workout area
• Laundry services
• Complimentary breakfast
• Diverse lunch and dinner options
The hotel’s appeal is further enhanced by its proximity to the 127-seat Sapphire Lounge, which includes:
• A VVIP section
• Dedicated prayer area
What This Means for Investors
Industry analysts view the Sapphire Hotel as a smart non-aeronautical revenue play, which could:
• Diversify NAHCO’s income streams
• Improve earnings stability
• Reduce reliance on core ground-handling operations
Stakeholders, including FAAN officials and international airline representatives, described the project as a significant private-sector investment in Nigeria’s airport infrastructure.
Big Picture Takeaway
NAHCO is no longer just about handling aircraft on the ground ✈️. With strong financials and strategic investments like the Sapphire Hotel, the company is quietly positioning itself as a key player across Nigeria’s aviation and travel value chain.
The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) has taken a bold step in its diversification journey with the unveiling of a 20-room luxury airport hotel at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. The move signals NAHCO’s evolution from a traditional ground-handling company into a fully integrated aviation services group.
Sapphire Hotel: Comfort Right Inside the Terminal
The newly launched Sapphire Hotel is strategically located within the Terminal II departure area, offering unmatched convenience for:
• International travellers
• Transit passengers on short layovers
• Business executives seeking comfort close to boarding gates
The hotel is operated by NAHCO Travel and Hospitality Limited, reinforcing the company’s ambition to build a seamless travel ecosystem.
Strong Financials Back the Expansion
The hotel launch comes on the heels of an impressive 2025 financial performance:
• Revenue rose 21.8% to ₦65.21bn (from ₦53.54bn in 2024)
• Gross profit increased to ₦38.61bn
• Operating profit grew 25% to ₦24.84bn
• Profit before tax climbed 30% to ₦24.26bn
• Profit after tax surged nearly 40% to ₦17.99bn
• Earnings per share jumped 40%, from ₦6.60 to ₦9.24
Notably, these gains were achieved despite inflationary pressures, aided by strong cost control, with administrative expenses largely flat.
A Strategic Shift Beyond Ground Handling
Speaking at the launch, Prince Saheed Lasisi, NAHCO’s Group Executive Director for Commercial and Business Development, described the hotel as a deliberate expansion within the aviation value chain.
According to him, NAHCO is positioning itself as a trusted travel partner, moving beyond ground handling to deliver end-to-end travel solutions.
“We guarantee that the guest experience at Sapphire Hotel will be second to none in the country,” he said.
️ Premium Features for Premium Travellers
The CEO of NAHCO Travel and Hospitality Limited, Ms Ruky Ogbetuo, highlighted the hotel’s standout offerings:
• Elegantly furnished luxury rooms
• On-site business office
• Fitness/workout area
• Laundry services
• Complimentary breakfast
• Diverse lunch and dinner options
The hotel’s appeal is further enhanced by its proximity to the 127-seat Sapphire Lounge, which includes:
• A VVIP section
• Dedicated prayer area
What This Means for Investors
Industry analysts view the Sapphire Hotel as a smart non-aeronautical revenue play, which could:
• Diversify NAHCO’s income streams
• Improve earnings stability
• Reduce reliance on core ground-handling operations
Stakeholders, including FAAN officials and international airline representatives, described the project as a significant private-sector investment in Nigeria’s airport infrastructure.
Big Picture Takeaway
NAHCO is no longer just about handling aircraft on the ground ✈️. With strong financials and strategic investments like the Sapphire Hotel, the company is quietly positioning itself as a key player across Nigeria’s aviation and travel value chain.