For seven years, Femi Benson* thrived as a gadget seller in Computer Village, Lagos, diligently paying his shop rent without fail until early 2024. Despite having a prosperous business with over ten employees, he hesitated to pay his rent due in January. It wasn’t until his landlord locked up his shop three months later that Benson finally paid.
Benson’s apprehension stemmed from the government’s long-standing threat to demolish Computer Village, Africa’s largest gadget market. His fears were exacerbated when the POWA complex, housing over 300 shops and 1,000 occupants, was demolished with only 24-hour notice on December 30, 2023. Although the Lagos state government denied involvement, the incident made Benson question his future in the market.
“After I saw what happened to the folks at POWA Complex,” Benson said, “I realized the government could act at any moment, leaving us with no recourse.”
Benson and thousands of other merchants in Computer Village are now anxious about the government’s relocation plans and the potential disruption to their businesses.
The Rise of a Bustling Tech Hub
Originally a quiet residential area in Ikeja, Computer Village has transformed dramatically since 1996 into Africa’s premier gadget market. By 2001, the area saw a significant shift as homeowners sold their properties, which were converted into bustling shopping plazas. Vendors adapted quickly to the growing demand, selling phones, accessories, and internet modems. Today, Computer Village is a vibrant hub featuring major smartphone brands, SIM card registration, mobile money transactions, and a variety of electronic appliances.
Computer Village spans seven major streets and includes low-rise buildings, shopping plazas, converted bungalows, iron kiosks, and standalone umbrellas. Despite challenges during the 2020 lockdowns, the market rebounded and now generates as much as ₦1.5 billion ($1 million) daily. Some studies suggest it contributes over $2 billion annually to Nigeria’s economy, representing 2 percent of the nation’s GDP. Additionally, the market generates over ₦60 million ($38,000) in levies for the Ikeja metropolitan area.
Facing an Uncertain Future
In April 2017, the Lagos State Government proposed relocating the market to Gatankowa ICT Park in Agbado/Oke-Odo to alleviate congestion in Ikeja and provide modern facilities for traders. The move was projected to be completed by the end of that year. However, seven years later, the plan remains unfulfilled.
Olajide Babatunde, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on e-GIS and Urban Development, recently announced the termination of the contract with Bridgeway Global Project Ltd., the project’s consultant, due to non-performance. “Even after the termination, the consultant continued to occupy and collect illegal fees from the traders,” Babatunde revealed.
At the proposed Gatankowa site, lack of surrounding infrastructure and bureaucratic delays have deterred investment. Babatunde emphasized that the Urban Development Department, led by Bola Bello, would now oversee the project. “It is illegal for the consultant to collect any fees or money from anyone under the guise of the development of the market after the termination of its contract,” he stated.
Bridgeway Global Project Ltd. denied any wrongdoing, with representative Jimmy Onyemenam asserting that the company had ceased fee collection after receiving the termination notice. “We have maintained cleanliness, security, and other services at our own cost, despite the termination,” Onyemenam claimed.
Stakeholders have voiced concerns about the lack of transparency in the relocation process. Adebowale Soyebo, Chairman of the Ikeja Computer Village Market Board, stressed the need for clear communication. “If you want to create another market and move the traders, you must involve them in the process,” Soyebo stated.
Tobuson Alake, Lagos State Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology, explained the complexities of the relocation plan in a conversation with Bendada.com. “The new location needs to have the facilities and infrastructure for traders to thrive. Rest assured, there will be ample notice before any move,” Alake promised.
Alake also highlighted the importance of structuring businesses to attract investment. “Currently, Computer Village lacks structure. We need to form teams or cooperatives that can attract investors,” he explained.
Despite the setbacks, the Lagos State Government remains optimistic. The project, requiring coordination across multiple ministries, aims to create a comprehensive plan for economic growth. Although high-tech parks are a new concept in Nigeria, the government believes Gatankowa ICT Park will eventually provide a sustainable future for the market.
Caught Between Resilience and Doubt
While government officials debate the future of Computer Village, traders face a potential upheaval of their livelihoods. Obinna Uzor*, a trader for over 10 years, expressed his concerns: “This market is our community. Relocating us without proper infrastructure is like asking us to start over.”
Some traders are beginning to adapt by setting up e-commerce platforms and leveraging social media to reach customers. This shift allows them to continue operations and generate income without relying on physical stalls.
However, the ongoing demolitions and government actions have raised fears of ethnic bias among non-indigenous traders. Some believe the relocation could be used to marginalize certain ethnic groups. Paul*, a trader who went remote early, shared his concerns: “The situation is starting to have a tribal slant. Many would prefer to avoid this and operate from home.”
Others, like Babatunde, have grown indifferent to the relocation threat. “The government has been pushing this move for years. Until there is a concrete plan, we will continue our current operations,” he said.
Despite frequent power outages and inadequate facilities, the traders’ resilience has been the cornerstone of Computer Village’s success. They worry that moving to an underdeveloped site could significantly disrupt business.
Bob Iden, an out-of-town trader, expressed concern about losing his customer base: “Our customers know where to find us here. Moving to Gatankowa might cause us to lose business.”
Comparisons with the failed Bangabandhu Hi-Tech City in Bangladesh serve as a cautionary tale. Promised infrastructure never materialized there, leading to financial losses for businesses. Traders fear Gatankowa could face a similar fate.
Some traders see potential opportunities in the relocation if proper infrastructure is provided. Tunde*, who sells refurbished laptops, believes a more organized market could attract international businesses and boost sales.
However, optimism is tempered by the government’s track record. Many promises have been made before, and traders need to see concrete actions before fully committing.
As the debate continues, Computer Village remains a bustling hub, a testament to the traders’ indomitable spirit. They hope Gatankowa ICT Park will eventually fulfill its promise and provide a sustainable future for Nigeria’s largest ICT mark