Thousands of Lagos Traders Expected in Enugu under New Private Sector Partnership

Thousands of Igbo traders currently operating in Lagos are set to relocate to the new Idodo Market City in Enugu State, officials said, as part of a major commercial partnership aimed at boosting private sector-led growth and expanding access to international markets.

The planned migration follows assurances from Enugu State authorities on security, infrastructure development, and economic reforms intended to position the state as a leading commercial hub in Nigeria’s South East region.

A senior government official, speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting, said the partnership with international traders was a deliberate effort to build a sustainable business ecosystem in the state.

“Enugu State is providing leadership; leadership that works,” the official said, adding that the state had taken unprecedented steps to integrate traders into the global market.

Addressing traders’ security concerns, the official described Enugu as the safest state for business operations in Nigeria. He noted that tackling insecurity was Governor Peter Mbah’s top priority, recalling that the governor had pledged to grow the state’s GDP from $4.4 billion to $30 billion within eight years.

Early measures included the enforcement of security strategies to end disruptive sit-at-home orders, the establishment of a technology-driven Command and Control Centre, and the deployment of surveillance systems and drones to monitor communities in real time.

“Today, there is nowhere a crime can take place in Enugu State without being detected. Arrests are made daily. Investors can operate without molestation,” the official said.

Economic reforms, he added, have largely focused on private sector-led growth through public-private partnerships. The state’s 2025 budget projected internally generated revenue at N500 billion, but by the end of the year, Enugu had recorded over N400 billion, marking a significant increase for a state historically reliant on civil service activity.

Infrastructure projects, including the construction of more than 1,000 roads across the metropolis, are also being implemented to facilitate commerce and ease of doing business.

Analysts said the relocation of Igbo traders from Lagos could reshape regional trade patterns and position Enugu as a commercial hub in the southeast. Stakeholders said the initiative, if successfully implemented, could stimulate industrial growth, create employment opportunities, and strengthen the regional economy.