Lagos Introduces Flexible Payment Plan to Relocate Computer Village Traders to Katangowa ICT Hub

The Lagos State Government has launched a flexible payment scheme to ease the long-awaited relocation of traders from Ikeja’s overcrowded Computer Village to the newly built Katangowa ICT hub in Agbado-Oke-Odo. The initiative aims to make the transition affordable and seamless for all traders, marking a major step toward transforming Lagos into a modern technology hub.

At a recent stakeholders’ meeting in Alausa, Ikeja, government officials highlighted the need for a purpose-built 15-hectare market at Katangowa. Permanent Secretary of the Office of Urban Development, Gbolahan Oki, emphasized that the current Ikeja location was originally a residential area, which has become overstretched, causing infrastructural strain and displacing residents. “The move is inevitable if the market must evolve into a safer, cleaner, and more sustainable business district,” Oki said.

Project developer Sam Ajose explained that the flexible payment plan was carefully designed to accommodate traders of all sizes, ensuring no one is financially disadvantaged during the relocation. “Transparency and cooperation among stakeholders will be the foundation of this project’s success,” Ajose stated, adding that the new market will include trailer parks, banks, hotels, a police station, and a fire station.

Market leaders have welcomed the plan. Iya Oloja of Computer Village, Mrs. Abisola Azeez, expressed confidence that the move would create a more secure and organized trading environment. She also highlighted ongoing efforts to improve market operations, including biometric registration for traders and stricter guidelines on stall displays and vendor conduct to prevent theft, counterfeit sales, and fire hazards.

The relocation represents a wider effort by Lagos State to modernize the ICT sector, boost safety, and enhance the overall trading experience for thousands of vendors. With structured payments, upgraded infrastructure, and clear operational rules, the Katangowa ICT hub is poised to become a world-class technology market in Nigeria, supporting innovation and business growth across the region.

source: arise