Computer Village is an ICT accessories market in Otigba, Ikeja, Lagos State’s capital in southwestern Nigeria.
Today, the Lagos State Government plans to relocate almost 3000 dealers from Otigba to Katangowa, a bustling 25-hectare clothing, shoes, and textile market.
It’s Africa’s largest ICT accessories market. The Computer and Allied Products Dealers Association of Nigeria oversees this perfect competitive market.
The markets repair phones and laptops in addition to selling IT accessories. Depending on the fault, computer and phone repairs may involve software or hardware.
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Computer and mobile phone repair technicians can trade with ICT accessory stores, creating jobs. Daily, excluding Sundays and holidays, the market is open. Daily commercial transactions and popularity have attracted investors and ICT dealers throughout Africa, expanding Lagos State’s market and population and strengthening its economy.
In the early 1990s, an ICT accessories shop was on Ogunlana Drive in Surulere, presently a residential neighbourhood and offices.
Computer Village move: government reasons
Dr. Olajide Babatunde is the general manager of e-GIS and urban development for the governor’s office. Also, he has a certificate in Land Administration and Geographical Information and an Urban and Regional Planning degree. He has a PhD in Research and Development Planning and a Master’s in Development and Planning.
Babatunde asserts that the following factors make the move crucial and that it is essential for Lagosians to be aware of them:
According to state law, Computer Village is a residential area that has evolved into a market, which violates the Modern City Plan.
The market relocation will be discussed with all relevant stakeholders, including market associations and property owners.
If not adequately planned, Lagos state’s exponential growth will significantly impact its urban space, so the computer village must be relocated to a larger region without traffic or other impacts on inhabitants.
The state-wide reconstruction and development of urban Lagos includes a computer village.
The rebuilding plans will soon improve traffic, security, and other areas for Lagosians.
Why we chose Katangowa
It was easy for us to choose Katangowa because it has good roads. Once Katangowa is ready to welcome the people from Computer Village, we won’t have to worry about traffic.
“The land is so big that if someone drove in, they would get lost from the way out there.” The idea wasn’t poorly thought out; it’s in the area’s model city plan.
It was pointed out that moving the people was where business would do well.
“We are moving the village to a place where their business will thrive while keeping things the same,” he said. “Ikeja Computer Village was a residential area before; it is now, and I think it will continue to be a residential area.” To ensure everything is done legally, we must keep this place as a residential area.
The traders in the computer village will mostly live in the Katangowa market. There will be market stores and outlets for them, and the stores will have secured titles so that the traders can use the properties they own in the market to get loans from any bank.
“There would also be places for banks, clinics, schools, a crèche, storage facilities, and some housing, such as hotels, for people outside of Lagos to stay in the area.”
According to the special adviser, the move will happen slowly, and talks with market players and work on developing the Katangua site have already begun.
“The people are ready to collaborate with us on the Katangua plan, and we will keep them informed,” he said.
To improve the state’s markets, it was said earlier on the following day that the Lagos State Government planned to move the Computer Village from Ikeja to Katangua in the Abule-Egba area.