The Lagos State Government has given traders at the Computer Village in Ikeja an 18-month ultimatum to relocate to the newly prepared Katangowa market in Agbado/Oke-Odo. The announcement was made by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Gbolahan Oki, during a stakeholders’ meeting with traders and market leaders.
Oki explained that the Ikeja location was originally a residential area and had, over the years, been converted into a commercial hub without government approval. He added that the Katangowa site, spanning 15 hectares, has been equipped with modern facilities, including a police post, hotels, and access to a BRT terminal, to make it conducive for business operations.
Market leaders, including Iyaloja Abisola Azeez, recalled that an agreement to relocate had been reached as far back as 2006 during the administration of Bola Tinubu, now Nigeria’s President. They urged traders to cooperate with the state government to ensure a smooth transition within the given timeframe.