Open AccessCorporate social responsibility (CSR) is the promise by business organizations to behave in a way that is ethically acceptable and at the same time contributing to the economic development and improvement of the living conditions of the employees, the catchment community and the larger society. Small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) can serve as the engine room for corporate social responsibility in developing countries, like Nigeria, since a high proportion of economic activity is generated through them. Hotel industry, belonging to this group has expanded rapidly since the return to democratic rule in 1999 primarily due to government’s interest in tourism development. Such expansion of the hotel industry calls for an enquiry into how socially responsible its activities are. Hence, this study explored the corporate social responsibility of the hotel industry in Nigeria. Primarily, the study made use of quantitative data obtained though questionnaire administered on the management officers in these hotels. It was found out that corporate social responsibility practices are minimal and at an informal level. It is recommended that corporate social responsibility should be embraced by the small and medium scale enterprises in order to fast track the country’s overall development.