Boulevard Hotel Group has expanded its footprint in Nigeria’s capital with the opening of its second hotel in Abuja, a move that underscores growing investor confidence in the city’s hospitality market and the group’s broader national growth strategy. The newly opened Villapark Hotel adds 93 rooms to the company’s Abuja portfolio, bringing its total room count in the city to 176.

The expansion comes alongside a key leadership change. Boulevard Hotel Group has appointed Mahdi Abdulahi, a chartered accountant and experienced hotel financial controller, as its new chief financial officer, a role that will place him at the center of the company’s financial planning as it accelerates expansion across multiple regions.

According to the company, the dual announcements reflect a deliberate push to align physical growth with stronger financial governance at a time when competition is intensifying in Nigeria’s hospitality sector.

Strengthening a foothold in the capital

The Villapark Hotel, described as a luxury villa style property, is located in Abuja and is designed to serve business and leisure travellers seeking high end accommodation in the city. With 93 rooms and five meeting rooms, the hotel targets corporate clients, government related travel, and upscale events, segments that continue to drive hotel demand in the Federal Capital Territory.

According to reports, the new opening makes Villapark Hotel the second property operated by Boulevard Hotel Group in Abuja. The additional rooms lift the group’s total inventory in the city to 176, strengthening its ability to compete with established local and international operators.

Industry analysts note that Abuja remains one of Nigeria’s most resilient hotel markets due to its steady flow of official travel, conferences, and diplomatic activity. While Lagos dominates in volume, Abuja offers more predictable demand patterns, which can be attractive to hotel operators focused on stable occupancy rates.

New CFO to oversee financial strategy

At the same time, Boulevard Hotel Group announced the appointment of Mahdi Abdulahi as chief financial officer. Abdulahi is a chartered accountant and a seasoned hotel financial controller, bringing sector specific experience to a role that will oversee budgeting, investment planning, and financial controls across the group’s growing portfolio.

In a statement, the chief operating officer of Boulevard Hotel Group, Fortune Okoro, said the appointment was timed to support the company’s next phase of growth.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mahdi to the team,” Okoro said. “His expertise will be instrumental in shaping our financial direction as we continue to expand across Nigeria and beyond.”

According to hospitality consultants, appointing a CFO with direct hotel operations experience can be critical as groups scale. Managing multiple properties across regions often introduces cost pressures related to staffing, maintenance, and energy, areas where financial discipline can significantly affect profitability.

Partnership with Villapark Hotel owner

The Villapark Hotel is owned by Livinus Anigbogu, who expressed optimism about the partnership with Boulevard Hotel Group. According to Anigbogu, the decision to work with an established hospitality management company was driven by a desire to elevate service standards and operational efficiency.

“We’re excited to join forces with Boulevard Hotel Group, a leader in hospitality management,” Anigbogu said. “We’re confident that their expertise will elevate our hotel’s standards and deliver exceptional experiences to our guests.”

This management partnership model has become increasingly common in Nigeria, allowing property owners to leverage the operational systems, brand recognition, and staff training capabilities of established hotel groups without relinquishing ownership.

Broader expansion beyond Abuja

The Abuja opening is part of a wider national expansion by Boulevard Hotel Group. Earlier this year, the company took over the management of Peregrine Hotel in Jos, located in North Central Nigeria. That move marked a strategic entry into a regional market that has seen renewed interest from domestic travellers and corporate clients.

Looking ahead, the group plans to expand further into Southwest Nigeria. According to the company, upcoming projects include a hotel in Abeokuta and a beachfront property in Lagos. These developments are expected to diversify the group’s geographic exposure and tap into both business and leisure travel segments.

With more than 15 hotels currently under development, Boulevard Hotel Group is positioning itself as one of the more aggressive local players in Nigeria’s hospitality industry. Analysts say this pipeline suggests confidence in long term travel demand, despite short term challenges such as inflation, foreign exchange volatility, and rising operating costs.

Why the development matters now

The expansion comes at a time when Nigeria’s hospitality sector is adjusting to post pandemic travel patterns and a renewed focus on domestic tourism. Abuja, in particular, has benefited from increased government activity and a steady calendar of conferences and meetings, supporting demand for premium accommodation.

By opening a second hotel in the capital while strengthening its financial leadership, Boulevard Hotel Group appears to be signaling a shift from cautious growth to more structured scaling. The appointment of a CFO alongside new openings suggests an emphasis on sustainability rather than rapid expansion alone.

Hospitality analyst Tunde Akinwale, speaking to local media, said the timing is notable. “Operators that are investing now are betting on medium to long term stability,” he said. “Those with strong financial controls are more likely to weather fluctuations in occupancy and costs.”

As Boulevard Hotel Group continues to roll out new properties, industry observers will be watching how effectively it integrates these hotels into a consistent brand experience. Maintaining service quality across locations remains one of the biggest challenges for expanding hotel groups.

There is also growing interest in how the group will position its properties in competitive markets like Lagos, where international chains and established local brands are already active. Pricing strategy, staff retention, and energy management are likely to be key factors influencing performance.

For now, the opening of Villapark Hotel and the appointment of a new CFO mark another step in Boulevard Hotel Group’s effort to build scale while reinforcing operational and financial discipline.

With its second Abuja hotel now open and a new chief financial officer in place, Boulevard Hotel Group is consolidating its position in Nigeria’s hospitality market. The strategy combines expansion with stronger financial oversight, a balance that could prove decisive as competition intensifies and investors look for operators capable of delivering both growth and resilience.