Traders and investors at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex have called for stronger collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria to boost economic growth, improve infrastructure and address business challenges within the commercial hub.
The appeal was made during a visit by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, to the complex in Lagos on March 11, 2026.
Speaking on behalf of the traders, Board of Trustees Chairman, Okey Ezibe, said local investors have been major contributors to Nigeria’s economy since 1998, adding that traders transformed the once dilapidated and swampy complex into a thriving commercial hub serving Nigeria and the wider West African sub-region.
He noted that although many traders operate within the informal sector, efforts are ongoing to transition toward formalisation in line with global best practices.
Ezibe, however, lamented insufficient government support and persistent challenges affecting businesses. These include: multiple taxation, numerous checkpoints between ports, borders and the trade fair complex, and harassment by local authorities, all of which increase the cost of doing business and raise consumer prices.
Traders also complained about poor infrastructure within the complex despite paying billions of naira in ground rents and other charges. They cited a lack of adequate roads, street lighting and power supply.
Ezibe further said demolition exercises carried out by Lagos state government in parts of the market caused traders to lose billions of naira and negatively affected investor confidence.
Responding, Oduwole acknowledged the scale of economic activities at the trade fair complex, describing it as one of the largest trading hubs in West Africa and a significant contributor to Nigeria’s GDP.
The minister assured traders that the government recognises their role in driving economic growth.
She further pledged that the federal government would work with traders to address regulatory, logistics and infrastructure challenges while encouraging them to formalise their operations.
She also supported proposals for quarterly meetings between government officials and trade associations to ensure continuous dialogue.
Also speaking, Executive Chairman of the Trade Fair Management Board, Erelu Ndanusa, urged traders to support government economic policies, expressing optimism that improved infrastructure and policy support would strengthen the complex as a major commercial and export hub for Nigeria and the West African region.