Thousands of Igbo traders operating in Lagos are set to relocate to the new Idodo Market City in Enugu State, as part of a major commercial partnership aimed at deepening private sector-driven growth and expanding access to international markets.
The planned movement follows renewed assurances by the Enugu State officials on security, infrastructure, and economic reforms designed to position the state as a leading commercial hub in the South East.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement, a senior government representative said Enugu’s decision to partner with international market traders was a deliberate move to build a development-driven business ecosystem that would endure for generations.
He noted that Enugu was the first among Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to take bold steps toward structured collaboration with traders for global market integration.
“What it means is that Enugu State is providing leadership —leadership that works,” he said.
The official addressed concerns raised by traders, particularly on security, describing Enugu as currently the safest state for business operations. He said tackling insecurity was the first priority of Governor Peter Mbah upon assumption of office.
He recalled that during his inaugural speech, Mbah pledged to grow Enugu’s Gross Domestic Product from $4.4 billion to $30 billion within eight years — a promise many initially doubted.
“That sounded ambitious at the time, but what we have seen is a government that talks and works,” he said.
He explained that one of the governor’s earliest actions was confronting the disruptive sit-at-home order that had negatively affected businesses across the state. The enforcement of a firm security strategy, he said, restored commercial activities and renewed investor confidence.
Beyond that, the state established a technology-driven Command and Control Centre equipped with surveillance systems and drones to monitor communities across local government areas in real time.
“Today, there is nowhere a crime can take place in Enugu State without being detected. Arrests are made daily. Investors can come in and operate without molestation,” he assured.
On economic reforms, the speaker emphasised that the administration’s growth strategy is largely private sector-driven through public-private partnerships. He cited the 2025 budget performance, where internally generated revenue was projected at N500 billion.
By the end of December 2025, he disclosed, the state had recorded over N400 billion in internally generated revenue — a figure he described as verifiable and unprecedented for a state once considered predominantly civil service-oriented.
He added that ongoing infrastructure expansion, including the construction of over a thousand roads within the metropolis, is part of efforts to support commerce and ease of doing business.
Analysts say the proposed relocation of Igbo traders from Lagos could significantly reshape regional trade patterns, with Enugu positioning itself as a new commercial powerhouse in the South East.
Stakeholders believe that if successfully executed, the initiative could stimulate industrial growth, create employment opportunities, and strengthen Enugu’s role in both national and international trade networks.
Also, the President-General, Alaba International Market Association, Chief Camilius Nnamdi Amajuoyi, has publicly endorsed the project and encouraged traders to key into the investment opportunity.
Speaking during an awareness forum hosted for the Idodo market developer, Amajuri described the initiative as “spectacular” and capable of transforming regional and international trade.
He said members of the Alaba executive council and stakeholders had conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the project site in Enugu, and were impressed by the scale and vision of the development.
“What we saw baffled us. It is more or less an international market comparable to what we see in Dubai, China, Korea, and Japan,” he said.
He explained that the Idodo International Market is not intended solely for Igbo traders or South East entrepreneurs, but is structured as a global commercial hub, open to investors and business partners from across Nigeria, Africa, and the wider international community.
“It is an international market that will accommodate everyone interested in doing business. It is not restricted to any ethnic group,” he stressed.
The market, he said, will feature multiple sections and departments catering to diverse sectors of trade. Planned facilities include a bonded warehouse, residential areas, educational centres, and modern infrastructure aimed at supporting seamless import and export activities.
He urged traders and investors to diversify their investments by securing a stake in the Enugu-based project, noting that diversification is key in business.
“You don’t put all your eggs in one basket. This is an opportunity to expand and compete with international markets around the world,” he said.
Amajuri also assured prospective investors that documentation guaranteeing property ownership would be provided upon purchase, following assurances from the Enugu State government.
While declining to comment on potential federal government involvement, he noted that the project operates under a private partnership model, leaving any possible federal participation to discussions between the developers and relevant authorities.
The proposed relocation of traders from Lagos, particularly from Alaba —one of West Africa’s largest electronics markets —signals what could become a major commercial shift toward Enugu, as stakeholders project that the Idodo International Market may redefine trade dynamics in the South East and beyond.