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The Group

Built from the operating floor up.

We do not simply develop hospitality. We live with the results.

Our Story

Jefferson Hospitality Group is an integrated hospitality company built from operating experience.

Established in Nigeria and operating from Abuja and Porto, Jefferson develops, manages and grows hotels, hospitality businesses and brands — building selectively across Africa.

Why Jefferson exists.

Jefferson Hospitality Group began with a simple conviction: the best hospitality decisions are made by people who understand what happens after the doors open. Our experience was shaped inside real hotels, restaurants and social concepts, where design, people, capital and guest experience have to work together every day.

That experience revealed a recurring problem: projects developed in fragments, with operations introduced too late. Jefferson evolved to close those gaps, connecting development, management, advisory, asset management and hospitality ventures within one group.

A hospitality asset should be designed around the business it needs to become — and operated in a way that allows it to endure.
Abuja and Porto
Delivery and operations from Abuja. Sourcing, design and partnerships from Porto.
Multiple operating brands
Hospitality tested in the market, not only conceived on paper.
One connected platform
Development through operations and asset performance.
Our Evolution

Operate. Develop. Integrate. Scale.

01 / Operate

We learned hospitality by operating it.

02 / Develop

We moved upstream.

03 / Integrate

We built connected capability.

04 / Scale

We are building platforms, not isolated projects.

Our Approach

Think commercially. Build deliberately. Operate with discipline. Keep improving.

We believe the best hospitality decisions connect the guest experience to the economics of the asset. Design, operations, people, procurement, technology and capital are not separate conversations. They are parts of the same business.

Porto — Abuja

Two bases. One operating perspective.

Jefferson operates between two complementary bases. Abuja anchors development delivery, hotel operations, asset management and client services across African markets. Porto supports European procurement, design and supplier relationships, strategic partnerships and cross-border business development.

Porto

European base. Procurement, design and supplier relationships, strategic partnerships and cross-border business development.

Abuja

African operations headquarters. Anchors development delivery, hotel operations, asset management, client services and brand operations.

Leadership

Founder & Leadership

Group Leadership

“We do not only ask what a hospitality asset should look like. We ask how it will operate, how it will perform and what it can become.”

Jeffrey Oduma is the Founder & Group CEO of Jefferson Hospitality Group, a multidisciplinary hospitality company spanning hotel development and management, procurement and manufacturing, experiences, and hospitality technology.

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Jeffrey Oduma’s experience across architecture, hospitality development, restaurants, hotel operations, procurement and physical asset creation shaped Jefferson’s integrated model. Each business exposed a different part of the hospitality lifecycle. JHG was created to bring those disciplines together under one operating platform.

Through Jefferson Hospitality Group, Jeffrey continues to build businesses and platforms designed around one principle: creating places people want to experience, and assets built to perform over the long term. See him on stage at Hotel Expo Nigeria 2022 →

Group Operations Director

Ibrahim Wehbe

Ibrahim Wehbe is Group Operations Director at Jefferson Hospitality Group, bringing decades of experience across hotel and restaurant operations. Within JHG’s founder-led hospitality portfolio, he has held operational leadership responsibilities across Ivy Lush Hotel in Warri, Obudu Centurion Hotel in Cross River State and La Luna Restaurant in Abuja, while also serving as General Manager of Ivy Lush Hotel.

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His approach combines commercial discipline, transparent operations, clear accountability and a consistent focus on service delivery and the guest experience.

Group Head, Asset Management & Investment

Gold Aku

Gold Aku is Group Head of Asset Management & Investment at Jefferson Hospitality Group, with experience across human resources, project management, hospitality and asset development.

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At JHG, she oversees asset performance, capital projects and investment priorities across the Group’s portfolio, including the review of development and renovation projects, capital expenditure and delivery coordination with internal teams and external partners.

Her approach combines structured execution with commercial awareness, focusing on the decisions, systems and project details that strengthen long-term asset value.

Culinary Director

Chef Alden Boerefijn

Chef Alden Boerefijn is an accomplished South African culinary leader with nearly two decades of international experience across luxury resorts, safari lodges, wellness retreats and high-end hospitality brands, including Singita, Marriott Luxury Collection, Virgin Limited Edition and Sun Siyam.

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At Jefferson Hospitality Group, he leads culinary strategy, menu development, kitchen standards and team development across the portfolio, bringing together creativity, operational discipline, sustainability and commercially focused dining experiences.

Group Management
Senior Architect

Arc. Chidiebere Okoye

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Arc. Chidiebere Okoye is a Senior Architect at Jefferson Hospitality Group, with a focus on hospitality architecture, interior design and the development of guest-focused spaces.

Having worked with JHG for several years, he contributes to the design and delivery of hotels, restaurants and other hospitality projects across the Group’s portfolio. His role spans concept development, spatial planning, interior coordination and the translation of design ideas into practical, buildable environments.

His approach combines architectural discipline with a strong understanding of hospitality, ensuring that each project balances aesthetics, functionality, operational requirements and the overall guest experience.

Group People & Culture Manager · Legal Practitioner

Ayoola O. Allu LLM, BL, LLB

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Ayoola O. Allu is an experienced Human Resources professional and Legal Practitioner with over 19 years of combined experience across people management, employment law, employee relations, administration and business advisory.

As Group People & Culture Manager at Jefferson Hospitality Group, she leads the Group’s people strategy across talent acquisition, performance management, learning and development, employee relations, workforce planning, compensation, organisational culture and HR compliance. She also supports executive management on restructuring, employment matters, policy development and workforce strategy.

Her legal background strengthens her work across employment law, contracts, dispute resolution and regulatory compliance. Ayoola holds an LLM from Coventry University, a BL from the Nigerian Law School and an LLB, and brings a structured, people-focused approach to building effective organisations and high-performing teams.

Group Finance Manager

Jeffrey Akporavware

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Jeffrey Akporavware is Group Finance Manager at Jefferson Hospitality Group, bringing over 15 years of experience across hospitality finance, internal audit and multi-site operations.

He leads the Group’s financial management and control functions, including consolidated reporting, budgeting and forecasting, revenue and bank reconciliations, payroll, vendor controls, inventory systems and group-wide financial policies.

His strength lies in combining strategic finance leadership with hands-on internal audit across operating establishments, helping strengthen controls, reduce operational risk and support profitability through disciplined processes and financial analysis.

Director of Legal & Company Secretary

Ejiro Arugba BL, LLB

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Ejiro Arugba is a Legal Practitioner and serves as Company Secretary at Jefferson Hospitality Group. She provides legal and governance oversight across the Group, supporting the business on corporate compliance, regulatory matters, contracts, board processes and shareholder communication.

In her role, Ejiro works closely with executive leadership to strengthen corporate governance, ensure statutory and regulatory compliance, coordinate company secretarial responsibilities and support the legal framework around JHG’s operations and investments.

Her approach combines sound legal judgment with a practical understanding of business, helping the Group manage risk, maintain strong governance standards and operate with greater structure and accountability.

European Market & Procurement Executive

Márcia Vemba

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Márcia Vemba is European Market & Procurement Executive at Jefferson Hospitality Group, based at the Group’s Porto office. She supports JHG’s European procurement, business development and design relations, linking the Group with manufacturers, suppliers, designers and strategic partners across Europe.

With a background spanning international relations, interior design, retail and visual branding, she sources furniture, finishes, materials and specialist solutions for the Group’s hospitality and development projects, while building supplier relationships and new market opportunities. Methodical and solution-oriented, she brings a focus on precision, collaboration and execution to every stage of the process.

Venue Leadership

General Manager, La Luna Abuja

Hussien Dayekh

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Hussien Dayekh is a hospitality operations professional with long-standing experience within Jefferson Hospitality Group. He was the pioneer Manager of Cloud Vista, where he led the venue’s operations for five years before being appointed General Manager of La Luna Abuja.

At La Luna, Hussien oversees the operational and commercial side of the business, working alongside Director of Experience Naima Nsa Thomas, who leads the guest and brand experience. His core strengths are in day-to-day operations, back-office management, team coordination and ensuring that the business runs efficiently and consistently.

Across JHG, Hussien is recognised for his practical, operations-led approach and his ability to keep hospitality businesses organised, accountable and commercially focused.

Director of Experience, La Luna Abuja

Naima Nsa Thomas

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Naima Nsa Thomas is a hospitality and brand development professional with experience across the UAE and Nigeria. Her background spans luxury dining, guest experience, client relations, wellness operations and digital marketing.

She holds a degree in Business Administration from India and currently serves as Director of Experience at La Luna Abuja, where she focuses on shaping guest journeys, service touchpoints and the overall brand experience.

General Manager, Obudu Centurion Hotel & Resort

Ayman Al Abed

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Ayman Al Abed is a hospitality operations professional with experience across front office, hotel operations and general management. As General Manager of Obudu Centurion Hotel & Resort, he oversees the property’s day-to-day operations, with a strong focus on operational discipline, service standards, accountability and maintenance culture.

His practical, hands-on approach supports consistent performance across teams while ensuring the hotel remains efficient, well maintained and guest-ready.

Manager, The Marquee by Jefferson

Maclean Suoyo

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Maclean Suoyo is Manager of The Marquee by Jefferson, the Group’s events venue in Asaba, where she leads the day-to-day coordination and delivery of its event and hospitality services.

Her work spans operational planning, client coordination, vendor management and service delivery, ensuring every engagement is executed to JHG standards. She brings a practical, detail-focused approach to leading teams and managing event requirements, with an emphasis on consistency, responsiveness and guest satisfaction.

Our leadership is supported by a wider team of hospitality, design, technology and procurement professionals across Abuja, Porto and our properties. Join the team →

Group Operations

Hotel & hospitality management, pre-opening and technical services across the portfolio.

Asset Management & Investment

Owner-side oversight, performance monitoring and capital deployment.

Client Solutions & Growth

Advisory, development partnerships and new opportunity origination.

Advisors

Advisors & Specialist Partners

Long-term consultants and specialist partners whose creative and technical work materially shapes the Group, its brands and its spaces.

Brand & Identity Consultant

Godwin Edet Munam (GEM)

Godwin Edet Munam, known as GEM, is a multidisciplinary brand and identity designer with over a decade of experience spanning architecture, interior design, UI/UX and illustration.

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As a creative resource to Jefferson Hospitality Group, he has played a key role in shaping the visual identity of the Group and its brands, including JHG, ADO Atelier, and Atlas Hotels & Residences. His work focuses on translating business ideas into clear, distinctive brand systems that can extend across physical spaces, digital platforms and guest-facing touchpoints.

His creative approach — Raw / Cut / Polished — reflects a process of beginning with instinct, refining with intention and delivering work that is both distinctive and considered.

Our People

Teams are trained before the doors open.

Hospitality is delivered by people. Jefferson recruits, trains and onboards the teams behind the properties it operates — service standards, guest experience, housekeeping and F&B — with the Group’s senior operators in the room.

Onboarding new staff · Obudu Centurion Hotel
Gold AkuGroup Head, Asset Management & Investment
Akunna OriakuLeading a training session
Ibrahim WehbeGroup Operations Director, with Akunna Oriaku
Godwin Edet (GEM)Brand & Identity Designer · presenting the new brand identity and guide to the VIA team
Where We Learned to Operate

What operating taught us.

Before Jefferson advised owners, its founder was one. For more than a decade, founder-led restaurants and bars in Nigeria taught the lessons the Group now brings to every project: service, staffing, kitchens, guest behaviour, maintenance, commercial discipline — and what happens after opening day.

Founder-LedPast Work

Cloud Vista Bar & Restaurant

Rooftop, DBS Road · Asaba, Delta State

A rooftop restaurant and bar above DD’s Centrum Mall that became one of Asaba’s destinations for dinner. It taught us to design around how a venue is actually run, and to train a team together before the doors open.

Its interiors, by Mayfair Design Studio (now part of JHG), won Best Luxury Restaurant Interior Design (Nigeria) at the Luxury Lifestyle Awards 2022.

5 yearsFounder-operated
2022Interior design award
RooftopRestaurant & bar
View gallery (6 photos)
Founder-LedPast Work

Temple Grill

Grill House & Bar · Nigeria

A grill house and bar with a bright indoor dining room, a garden and a courtyard — a place for long lunches, family weekends and busy nights.

Run by the founder for a decade, it is where Jefferson’s operating habits were formed: recruiting and training service teams, running kitchen and bar at volume, and keeping a busy restaurant consistent year after year.

10 yearsFounder-operated
Grill & barFood-led concept
Garden& courtyard dining
View gallery (6 photos)
Founder-LedPast Work

Mythos Café

Restaurant & Bar · Delta Mall, Asaba

A Mediterranean-inspired restaurant and bar inside Delta Mall — whitewashed arches, climbing bougainvillea, Santorini-blue chairs, a painted mural and an open kitchen behind glass.

Launched in 2022 as “a journey through Mediterranean gourmet”, it became a favourite for date nights, birthday dinners and long lunches, and one of Asaba’s most widely shared dining rooms.

2022Opened
MediterraneanDining concept
OpenKitchen on view
View gallery (6 photos)
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