Register Now or Face Closure: Anambra Government Gives Fresh Directive to Hotels, Guest Houses, Nightclubs
By Joseph Egbeocha
The Anambra State Government has issued a fresh directive to operators of hotels, guest houses, nightclubs, drinking spots, and other hospitality businesses to register with the state government and obtain the necessary operational licences or risk heavy fines and eventual closure.
The government said the move is aimed at strengthening security across the state and preventing hospitality facilities from being used as hideouts or meeting points for criminal activities, including secret cult operations.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, Barrister Ugochi Amedu, operators were reminded that registration with the Ministry, after the required inspection by government officials, is mandatory under the law.
The Ministry also directed all affected businesses to renew their operational licences annually and submit monthly guest lists to the Ministry and relevant security agencies as part of efforts to improve security monitoring across the state.
According to the statement, the directive is in line with the provisions of the Secret Cult and Similar Activities Prohibition Law 2024, which was enacted to curb criminal activities and enhance public safety.
The law requires all hotels, guest houses, nightclubs, drinking places, and similar establishments operating in Anambra State to obtain a Certificate of Registration after fulfilling the stipulated requirements and paying the approved government fee.
The government warned that operators who fail to register their businesses will be liable to a fine of ₦100,000 for every month of non compliance and ₦1 million for every six months of continued default.
It added that any establishment that remains unregistered for more than one year will be shut down by the State Security Service.
The statement further stressed that failure to submit monthly guest records will also attract a ₦100,000 penalty for each month of default, while businesses that fail to comply for six consecutive months risk being sealed by the government in collaboration with security agencies.
The Anambra State Government urged all affected business owners to comply with the provisions of the law without delay, noting that the initiative is designed to safeguard lives and property, improve public safety, and create a more secure environment for residents, visitors, and investors.
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