SAHA Transforms Hospitality Training in Nigeria, Unveils State-of-the-Art Academy

Mary Nnah

In a bold move to transform Nigeria’s hospitality industry, Service Arts and Hospitality Academy (SAHA), recently opened its doors to the public for an exclusive Open Day event.
The academy’s cutting-edge facility, designed to mimic real-life hospitality environments, promises to bridge the skills gap in Nigeria’s booming hospitality sector.
Founded by renowned hospitality expert Benedicta Ogar, the academy features spaces that mirror actual hotel rooms, a fully operational restaurant, and well-equipped classrooms, allowing students to gain both practical and theoretical experience in a highly realistic setting.
Attendees were given an exclusive tour of the academy’s facility, which resembles a real-life hospitality environment more than a typical learning institution.
In her welcome speech, Benedicta Ogar, Founder of SAHA and Lead Consultant for CityBee Services and Cavodah Hospitality Ltd., expressed her enthusiasm for the academy’s mission to bridge the gap in Nigeria’s hospitality industry.
“Nigeria has the potential to excel in hospitality with the resources we have, but a significant challenge remains: businesses invest heavily in starting hotels and restaurants but often lack the budget to adequately train staff,” Ogar noted.
“SAHA was established to address this need, ensuring employers have access to highly skilled and well-trained staff who can uphold superior service standards”, she said further.
SAHA’s curriculum is led by an experienced and diverse faculty dedicated to delivering high-quality hospitality training that prepares students to enter the industry with advanced skills.
The academy’s commitment goes beyond imparting technical skills; it also aims to cultivate a Nigerian-specific approach to hospitality.

“We are here to develop a style of hospitality that suits Nigeria’s unique culture,” Ogar emphasized, adding that, “Our rich cultural heritage gives us the ability to stand out on the global stage, and it’s our responsibility to teach hospitality that resonates with the Nigerian identity.”
 SAHA is launching with the vision of not only improving service quality within Nigeria’s hospitality sector but also setting the foundation for international competitiveness.

As a pioneering hospitality training institute in Nigeria, SAHA offers both practical and theoretical instruction, with a commitment to delivering world-class education.

The academy is dedicated to equipping future leaders of the industry with the skills and cultural insight needed for success.