Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has cautioned hotels, restaurants and event centres across the state against arbitrary price hikes and the cancellation of confirmed reservations ahead of the popular “Detty December” festive season.

The governor issued the warning during an appearance on the TVC Journalists Hangout, where he made it clear that the state government would no longer condone the practice of service providers reneging on earlier agreements simply because they have received more lucrative offers.

According to him, such behaviour is unacceptable and poses a serious threat to Lagos’ standing as a foremost hub for entertainment, culture and tourism. He noted that venues that abandon customers who booked months in advance in favour of higher-paying clients damage not only their own credibility but also the image of the state.

Governor Sanwo-Olu revealed that he recently met with about 250 operators from hotels, clubs and restaurants in Marina, where discussions focused on curbing excessive price increases and unethical business conduct. He questioned why venues that had confirmed bookings several months earlier would suddenly claim changes upon customers’ arrival, stressing that such actions amount to poor branding and would not be tolerated in Lagos.

The governor urged operators to respect and honour their original commitments, warning that breaching agreements for financial gain undermines trust and harms the city’s reputation. He further stated that the government is prepared to take decisive action against offenders.

He disclosed that the state would not hesitate to publicly expose and sanction businesses involved in such practices. Customers with evidence of confirmed bookings, deposits or written commitments were encouraged to report any violations. Relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and the Lagos State Safety Commission, he said, have been fully briefed to address complaints promptly.

Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized that the government would enforce corrective measures and apply the full weight of the law where necessary, insisting that Lagos would not allow a few operators to tarnish its image. He added that stakeholders present at the recent meeting had agreed that such practices would no longer be allowed going forward.