General News
Jovago Showcases Rewards of Online Hotel Booking- Zmyslowski
Marek Zmyslowski is the managing director of Jovago.com who left Poland for Nigeria, in 2013, to launch the platform, an online hotel booking service.
Before joining Africa Internet Holding, Zmyslowski, successfully co-founded and exited online ventures in Poland.
He is an internet geek, fashion enthusiast, and sports addict.
He is also a former snowboard instructor, holding a racing license. In this interview with peter ugwu, he explained the drive behind the concept and how it can benefit the Nigerian tourism space.
Jovago.com Entrance into Nigerian Market
We actually launched in August last year. Before that we had couple of months of preparations. I can gladly say that we are growing very fast because the market has the opportunity to develop now.
We started as an online traveling agency that secures online booking for Nigerian travelers. And we launched in Nigeria, we have been able to grow and launched Senegal, Kenya, and even in Pakistan.
That is where our hubs are. Presently, we have Jovago represented in sixteen sub-Saharan African. We focus on Sub-Saharan Africa, largely because the demonstration and experience we had in Pakistan with similar experience; for instance, Nigeria.
These countries share similar challenges and opportunities. Also, we want Jovago to be a strong African brand and help in developing Sub-Saharan Africa as destination for (business) tourism.
Steps Taken by Jovago to Promote Tourism
There are so many ways to promote tourism industry. We are focusing a particular area of our strength. What we can see in Sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria in particular, though a huge number, but the number of hotels are growing by the day.
Just last year, in Nigeria, international hotel chains signed contracts to build more hotels in the country than in any country in the world. Suffice it to say that Nigeria has become the largest hospitality market in the world.
At the same time, there are many hotels operating in the country that have been focused on corporate travelling arrangement, but with growing competition they have started to lose customers.
They do not understand what is going on; therefore, they have to wake up, re-strategize and embrace individual customers, welcome customer service, additional services and work on new ways to find customers.
This is where Jovago comes in to place. Of course, we have growing interest among international travelers coming in and going out of Africa, coupled with the growing number of hotels. The problem is, it has not been easy for the customer to find the hotel.
So, we come into place. We built and inventory of hotels in Africa, verified and put them online. We have the descriptions and did the reviews and to whoever is looking for hotels online, we give him the inventory has can trust, because getting a befitting hotel at a choice location, sometimes gets complicated.
It is like having many companies in one place; many restaurants, nightclubs and the rooms. Then, the hotels have to think of getting customer’s attention.
So, it is hard for the hotel managers to keep up with technology. In the traveling industry technology has changed, in a tremendous way, how customers behave. Before now, people never believed they can buy flight ticket from the mobile phone. This is changing very rapidly and hotels are finding it difficult to cope; but we know the business and the online marketing. Thus, we provide the platform to reach out to customers, and that is one way to promote tourism.
Jovago’s Important Role in the Market
There are two major things that differentiate us from other national and international players. First, we have the biggest inventory of hotels in Africa. Just in Nigeria, we have more than 5,000 hotels and in Africa, we have over 20,000 others and 200,000 worldwide.
Secondly, we are different from any African traveling agency, because every hotel on our platform was physically verified by our staff.
Someone went there, met with the hotel manager, shake hands, discussed the corporation, signed a copy of the agreement, get to know the staff, saw the rooms, restaurants; made the pictures, and wrote the descriptions. So, this is the guarantee: whatever you see on the website is that you will feel physically when you actually lodge into the hotel.
Dealing With Dishonest Partners (Hotels)
If we discover that, probably, after our visitations, did the reviews and signs an agreement, the hotel management fails to retain the standard, we take actions. In extreme cases, such hotel gets deleted from the platform immediately.
But that could have happened, probably, just once since we launched. Every hotel gets reviews, which is important for them, because when you run a business, may be you are going bankrupt, the reason is: you do not know why.
Sometimes, you are getting more customers or losing them, you do not know why. Every time a customer visits the hotel we get a feedback such as the likes and dislikes over the services.
We pass the comments to the hotel; this is why the growing number of reviews is very important to the customer. It helps both the customer to make decisions and the hotel management to improve on their services.
Essentially, trust is an important aspect of any thing (business) that has to do with online. You wouldn’t make payments with your credit cards if there was no trust. The whole banking system in the whole world is based on trust. It is not easy to convince an African customer to pay online. Nevertheless, we cannot force our customers to shun it.
We can only keep promoting activities that will attract their focus and give them opportunity for trial. By the time they succeed, trust is being built.
There was a customer that booked a hotel (online) under Jovago, that was his first experience on anything that as to do with online transaction. He had positive experience and continued. That was very important for us. Aside the verification as a unique selling proposition of Jovago, our customer service is very strategic.
It may sound boring or unfounded, but it is true that in Nigeria, such as banks, in fact, big companies, customer service has not been given adequate attention. While it is improving, there are areas to be addressed.
You can compare what we do with international big players like Booking.com; everything is fully automated. Of course, the booking process is very simple. As the customer books online, our customer service starts, because we will keep in touch with both parties (the hotel & the customer).
We will make sure you remember about the booking a day or two to the very date; make sure you have a taxi, for example from the airport. We will also assist in you locating the hotel via a map. Then, while you are there, if you wouldn’t mind, we will send you an email.
Jovago/Lufthansa
As a way of expatiating on the programme; we are an online booking platform, providing cheap, fast and convenience and safety.
But in Nigeria, only about five percent of all the hotel rooms available are booked online. People still prefer to call or go through a travel agency or take the risk of going to a city, sit back in a taxi and tell the driver to get him somewhere, thinking there will be a free room.
That, to me, is very stressful. If you do not know there is an opportunity to book online, of course, you will not seize the opportunity.
We are doing a lot of offline activities in a way of brand awareness marketing processes, just to communicate to our customers there is a place called Jovago.com.
We do not know if the potential customer will need the hotel now or in a month time. But the time he needs a hotel, he will remember Jovago. Therefore, we came up with an idea to organize a competition in partnership with Lufthansa airlines, a big and reliable company too. We intend giving, for instance couples, romantic getaways, etc.
Bringing Remaining 95% Hotels In Nigeria Online
Yes, it is possible, just that it will take some time. The reason is that there are no short cuts. It requires a lot of offline marketing activities, direct contact with the customers. Meanwhile, we need to understand the habit of the potential customers.
So, we go to conferences, talk to people and help them book for the first time. It is a time consuming activity, but we have the opportunity to get their attention.
The first time experience is always good for them embrace the platform. This course is something most hotels didn’t plan for while they were setting up.
For instance, we are an online company but we do a lot of offline activities too. We have to visit the hotel, plan your logistics and we have to be proactive too.
Jovago Partnership with UNICEF
This is our approach; being in Africa and doing business in Africa entails Africa gives you so many opportunities. You hire people and eventually grow your business. We feel responsible to give back.
Of course, when you hire someone and pay him salary, it is like feeding the entire people in the home, but we feel that this is not enough.
We have seen cases where very ambitious people get trapped on the way because when they were born, probably, somebody or circumstances made it that he was not registered; he was not issued a birth certificate. Such problem can limit someone success.
So, we decided on this.
We cannot do change everyone, but we can make a difference in this area. If everyone does something differently, a lot of things will change.
As people book for hotels, they can add a token of about $5 to UNICEF. We will help to collect the money and send to UNICEF for distribution to countries for help increase the rate of issuance of birth certificate to which ever child is born.
Market Share in Nigeria
It is really hard to say because the competitors do not share their numbers with us. And we do not like to share it with them too, because we are at the early level and every company would want to protect itself.
However, I can boldly say that we have been seeing month-to-month growth in traffic; it is a two digit number.
But this can be sustainable if we will be focused on online marketing activities. The online is not all that big yet; we have to create market for ourselves. To be honest, I think when other players enter the market; it will boost the market too.
How? First, it makes you think. Every time you would want to improve on your services and the customers will feel better. It is like a race; when you run a lone, you may not run as when you have ten people around. Secondly, we are at the stage where the market is not rated. It is still the tip of the iceberg. There are a lot of offline activities, but we are building the market.
Promoting ePayment through Online Hotel Booking
We are actually partnering some card companies who are willing to offer discount to their cardholders who would want to use the e-payment channels to book for their hotels. We are in partnership with two international and two local payment operators.
We have an e-payment integrator on our website that meets international standards in terms of cyber security. Since we started, we have not recorded any case of fraud. We try to communicate the obvious advantages when you book online.
It is faster, simpler and very much comfortable. We build the trust by ensuring everything is secured. By paying online, you need not carry cash.
We make sure the hotel is paid and no one will harass you on arrival. Most importantly, you get discount for booking online. For a company like Jovago, when we deal with cash, we have to process it. This is one of the ultimate reasons the Nigerian financial sector is promoting cashless society; dealing with cash costs so much money.
Breathe Life Foundation partnered with Teach Nigeria Fellow, Ms Bunmi Rotimi, to deliver a respiratory health awareness session for over 200 senior students of Cleggs Girls High School, Surulere, Lagos.
The session equipped students aged 15–19 years with practical knowledge about the risks associated with smoking, vaping, and shisha, while challenging the misconception that shisha is a safer alternative to cigarettes or other substances.
Through an engaging and interactive discussion, students explored the influence of peer pressure and learned practical strategies for making healthier, more informed lifestyle choices.
They also gained a better understanding of common environmental triggers of asthma and other respiratory conditions, including cigarette smoke, generator fumes, bush burning, mosquito coil smoke, candles, charcoal, and firewood.
The session highlighted an important reality: young people may not always recognise how seemingly routine lifestyle choices and environmental exposures can gradually affect their respiratory health, quality of life, and long-term wellbeing.
For Breathe Life Foundation, this reinforces the importance of shifting the conversation from treatment to prevention through awareness and education. By equipping young people with the knowledge to identify risks and make healthier choices early, the Foundation is helping to build a generation that is more conscious of – and better prepared to protect – its respiratory health.
Breathe Life Foundation is dedicated to advancing respiratory health, an often-neglected public health priority. Healthy lungs are essential to life, yet respiratory diseases remain among the world’s leading causes of death and disability, even though many are preventable and treatable.
Nigeria’s technology retail landscape reached another significant milestone on Monday, August 3, 2026, as global technology giant ASUS, in partnership with Konga, officially commissioned its first flagship experience store in West Africa.
Strategically located at 16 Otigba Street, Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos; the heartbeat of Nigeria’s technology ecosystem, the state-of-the-art facility represents a major investment in customer experience, product accessibility, and digital innovation.
The launch also reinforces Konga’s growing reputation as a preferred gateway for leading global technology brands into the Nigerian market.
The landmark event attracted Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, SAN, minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, who officially commissioned the store.
Also in attendance were the Chairman of Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh; Chief Operating Officer of Konga, Dave Omoregie; VP Omni-channel & Commercial Planning, Melvin Onochie; and Head of Marketing and Communications at Konga Group, Victor Oluwaleye.
The ASUS team was led by E.EMEA General Manager, Aaron Tsai, alongside Business Development Manager, Sunnie Chen; Sales Manager, Mohammed Kazim; Gaming Product Manager, Joy Chen; Marketing Manager, Adeola Odeleye; and Sales Specialist, Williams Okenna.
The Honourable Minister described the facility as a defining achievement for Nigeria’s digital economy, noting that it is far more than the opening of a retail outlet.
He called it a strong vote of confidence by a global technology brand in Nigeria’s innovation, science, and technology ecosystem and the immense potential of its market.
He noted that his presence underscored the Federal Government’s commitment to fostering stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors, describing such partnerships as essential to achieving Nigeria’s ambition of building a one-trillion-dollar economy driven by private enterprise and enabled by government.
The Minister paid tribute to Leo Stan Ekeh, describing him as one of the foremost architects of Nigeria’s digital transformation.
He announced that Ekeh had recently agreed to champion the Federal Government’s Youth and Students in Innovation initiative, a flagship programme aimed at equipping young Nigerians with entrepreneurial and technology skills.
According to him, Ekeh’s decades of visionary entrepreneurship have played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s technology ecosystem and attracting prominent technology companies into the Nigerian market.
Using the occasion to address the international business community, the Minister encouraged global investors and brands to look beyond establishing commercial operations in Nigeria and actively partner with the government in driving national development.
He assured investors of the Federal Government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment that safeguards investments and delivers sustainable returns.
Speaking at the event, ASUS E.EMEA General Manager, Aaron Tsai, expressed appreciation to partners, government representatives, and customers for their support.
He explained that the flagship store was conceived to provide consumers with direct access to authentic ASUS products, and expressed confidence that the partnership with Konga will further accelerate the brand’s growth and strengthen customer engagement in the region.
The experience centre features dedicated sections showcasing ASUS’ complete portfolio of premium laptops, gaming devices, AI-powered PCs, and cutting-edge innovations. A standout attraction is an interactive digital display that allows visitors to explore ASUS’ latest technologies virtually before making purchase decisions, creating a more engaging and informed customer journey. Plus, every ASUS device purchased through the flagship store or online on Konga comes with a special one-year replacement warranty at no extra cost.
In his remark, Chief Operating Officer of Konga Group, Dave Omoregie, said the flagship store reflects Konga’s deliberate strategy to give Nigerian consumers a seamless blend of online and offline retail.
He noted that Konga’s logistics network, payment infrastructure, and nationwide retail footprint uniquely position the company to support global brands like ASUS at scale, while ensuring customers enjoy authentic products backed by reliable after-sales service.
According to him, the partnership demonstrates what becomes possible when world-class technology brands trust Nigerian platforms to deliver exceptional experiences, adding that Konga remains committed to setting the operational standard for authentic technology retail across the country.
The launch further reinforces the enduring partnership between ASUS and Konga, built on shared values of innovation, authenticity, and customer satisfaction.
It also highlights Konga’s continued evolution beyond traditional e-commerce into a comprehensive omnichannel technology ecosystem that combines online convenience with physical retail experiences.
For Nigerian consumers and businesses, the new ASUS Flagship Experience Store represents more than a retail outlet; it is a symbol of confidence in Nigeria’s technology market. It highlights Konga’s commitment to bridging the gap between global technology brands and Nigerian consumers. With its robust logistics infrastructure, digital payment solutions, and nationwide physical retail presence, Konga continues to set the standard for authentic, accessible, and reliable technology retail across Africa.
The flagship store opening featured guided product demonstrations, immersive technology experiences, exclusive launch-day offers and customer engagement activities celebrating this historic milestone.
Customers can begin shopping immediately at the ASUS Flagship Experience Store, located at 16 Otigba Street, Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos. Visitors can explore authentic ASUS products, experience live product demonstrations, receive expert guidance, and access dedicated Starlink customer-support services.
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to direct, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), attorney general of the federation and minister of Justice; Olatunji Rilwan Disu, inspector-general of Police, and relevant anti-corruption agencies to investigate allegations that more than ₦6.79 billion in public funds were missing, diverted or misapplied within the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs.
The allegations are contained in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s 2022 Annual Report, published on September 9, 2025.
In a letter dated August 1, 2026, and signed by Kolawole Oluwadare, deputy director, SERAP, the organisation urged the government to ensure that anyone implicated in the report is prosecuted and that all missing public funds, firearms and ammunition are recovered.
“Anyone suspected to be responsible—including contractors, companies and public officials implicated in the report—should be promptly prosecuted, while all missing public funds, firearms and ammunition should be fully recovered, secured and properly accounted for.”
SERAP described the Auditor-General’s findings as a serious breach of public trust.
“The Auditor-General’s findings suggest a grave betrayal of the public trust and raise serious concerns about corruption and the management of public funds, police exhibits, firearms and ammunition.”
The organisation also expressed concern over allegations involving missing firearms, unauthorised use and release of police exhibits, and poor storage of weapons.
“The report also raises serious concerns over missing firearms and ammunition, the unauthorised use and release of police exhibits, failures to properly account for exhibits, and the insecure storage of firearms, creating significant risks to public safety and national security.”
According to SERAP, the alleged diversion of funds meant for policing and the reported irregularities have weakened the operational effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force.
“The diversion of funds meant for policing, abandoned security projects, missing firearms and ammunition, and the misuse of police exhibits undermine the operational effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force, weaken public confidence and may contribute to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.”
The organisation said the Auditor-General’s report documented several alleged financial irregularities, including payments for projects that were never executed, abandoned contracts, inflated contract costs, irregular procurement, unretired cash advances, unsettled insurance claims and payments for services allegedly not rendered.
“The report documented numerous alleged financial irregularities within the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs, including payments for projects that were never executed, abandoned contracts, inflated contract costs, and irregular procurement.”
“The report also documented unretired cash advances, unsettled insurance claims, payments for services allegedly not rendered, and other suspected diversion and misapplication of public funds amounting to over ₦6.79 billion.”SERAP further cited allegations of missing firearms and ammunition, failures to properly account for recovered weapons and exhibits, and insecure storage of firearms.
“The allegations also include missing firearms and ammunition, the unauthorised use and release of police exhibits, failures to properly account for recovered firearms and other exhibits, and the insecure storage of firearms, posing serious risks to public safety and national security.”
The organisation gave the Federal Government seven days to act on its demands, warning that it would pursue legal action if no response is received.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal action to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.”
SERAP also argued that the allegations, if left unaddressed, would violate constitutional provisions requiring the government to combat corruption and safeguard the welfare and security of Nigerians.
Among the specific findings cited from the Auditor-General’s report were allegations of payments for abandoned and unexecuted police projects worth hundreds of millions of naira, inflated contract values, unretired cash advances, irregular procurement processes, unsettled insurance claims exceeding ₦681 million, over ₦1 billion in uncleared insurance policy liabilities, missing firearms and ammunition, unauthorised release of police exhibits, and contracts allegedly awarded without due diligence by the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs.
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