Roadside trading thrives as shops remain locked in FCT markets

Across several satellite towns in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), modern market structures with rows of locked shops remain largely underutilised. In contrast, crowded roadside stalls and makeshift trading points continue to thrive around them. Some of the affected facilities include Maitama Ultra Modern Market, Dutse-Pe Model Market, Army Estate Market in Kubwa, Dawaki Modern […]

Across several satellite towns in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), modern market structures with rows of locked shops remain largely underutilised.
In contrast, crowded roadside stalls and makeshift trading points continue to thrive around them.
Some of the affected facilities include Maitama Ultra Modern Market, Dutse-Pe Model Market, Army Estate Market in Kubwa, Dawaki Modern Market and Dutse-Alhaji Market, all located within the Bwari Area Council.
The longstanding contradiction has become more difficult to ignore.
Most of the markets were developed through collaborative efforts involving the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), area council authorities and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements.
The projects were designed to organise commercial activities, improve sanitation and reduce traffic congestion.
However, in communities such as Kubwa, Dawaki and Dutse-Alhaji, roadside trading continues to flourish in spite of the availability of designated market spaces.
The development comes at a time when Abuja’s population continues to expand rapidly.
According to population projections by the National Population Commission (NPC), the FCT remains one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing urban centres, with satellite towns experiencing growth due to increasing migration and urban expansion.
Consequently, commercial activities have expanded beyond the capacity of existing infrastructure in many communities, placing additional pressure on markets, roads and public spaces.
While some traders operate from shops within the markets, many others prefer roadside locations where heavy pedestrian and vehicular traffic appears to guarantee quicker sales.
The trend has generated growing concerns among residents, motorists and urban development stakeholders, who argue that roadside trading contributes to congestion, environmental degradation and safety risks.
Many residents believe authorities must address the underlying factors driving traders to the roadsides rather than relying solely on periodic enforcement exercises.
Mrs Blessing Obike, a resident of Kubwa, described the situation as frustrating.
“It is difficult to understand why beautiful market buildings remain underutilised while traders occupy roadsides and pedestrian walkways.
“You often see them running in different directions to avoid apprehension by market officials, but they return shortly afterwards,” she said.
Similarly, Mr Musa Ibrahim, a resident of Dutse-Alhaji, said the growing spread of roadside stalls was gradually undermining the objectives of the FCT master plan.
“Unfortunately, enforcement remains weak, and many traders are unwilling to comply.
“Once officials leave, the traders return to the roadsides, creating difficulties for themselves, motorists and customers,” he said.
However, some traders insist that the issue goes beyond mere disobedience to regulations.
Indeed, experts say the situation reflects the realities of Nigeria’s large informal economy.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) have consistently shown that a significant proportion of Nigerians earn their livelihoods through informal economic activities, often because of limited access to affordable business premises, financing and regulatory support.
As a result, roadside trading has become an attractive option for many low-income entrepreneurs seeking visibility, flexibility and lower operating costs.
Some traders attribute their preference for roadside trading to high shop rents, multiple levies and poor customer traffic within the markets.
According to them, renting a shop in some of the modern markets costs between N800,000 and more than N1 million annually, depending on location. (NAN)

They also cited the prevailing economic hardship as a major factor.

 

Furthermore, rising inflation has compounded the challenges facing small traders.

 

With food prices, transportation costs and other business expenses increasing significantly in recent years, many small-scale entrepreneurs say they are struggling to remain profitable.

 

A vegetable seller at Dutse-Alhaji Market, who identified herself simply as Madam Ruth, said operating inside the market was difficult for small-scale traders.

 

“Roadside stalls are cheaper to maintain than formal shops with rent, utility bills and service charges.

 

“The rent is expensive, and customers hardly come inside the market. Along the roadside, people can stop easily and buy.

 

“I cannot afford a shop just to sell vegetables and kpomo. It is a survival business for me,” she said.

 

Similarly, a provisions seller in the same market said visibility was critical to daily sales.

 

“It depends on what you are selling. Someone with goods worth N20,000 or N50,000 cannot be expected to rent an expensive shop. That may only be practical for traders with larger inventories.

 

“Customers looking for fresh food items often want quick access. If they cannot easily find sellers inside the market, they may simply move on,” he said.

 

Beyond the concerns raised by traders, urban development experts say the situation reflects deeper structural challenges affecting many markets across the territory.

 

Mr Emmanuel Danjuma, a town planning consultant, said some markets were poorly designed or inadequately integrated into surrounding communities.

 

“Accessibility is an important consideration in market planning.

 

“If roads within the market are poor, parking is inadequate or shop arrangements are inconvenient, traders will naturally gravitate toward areas with higher customer traffic,” he said.

 

According to Danjuma, weak and inconsistent monitoring by relevant authorities has also contributed to the persistence of roadside trading.

 

“Most enforcement exercises are temporary. Traders often return once monitoring reduces.

 

“However, if authorities address infrastructure gaps within the markets, the situation could improve significantly,” he added.

 

Meanwhile, stakeholders have called on the FCT administration and area council authorities to review shop rental policies to make them more affordable for small business owners.

 

They also advocate improved infrastructure, including better roads, drainage systems, lighting, parking facilities and security.

 

Mr Chinedu Eze, a member of a traders’ association in Dutse Market, urged authorities to engage traders before introducing new enforcement measures.

 

According to him, inadequate infrastructure discourages both traders and customers from using the markets.

 

“Where there are no functional toilets, poor roads and limited parking spaces, it becomes difficult for both traders and customers.

 

“Many traders are willing to move into shops if conditions improve and customers can easily access the markets,” he said.

 

Eze added that reducing the cost of acquiring shops would encourage more traders to relocate from the roadsides into designated market spaces.

 

In addition, some market observers have expressed concern over alleged shop hoarding and speculation within certain FCT markets.

 

They claim that some individuals acquire multiple shops for investment purposes rather than business operations, leaving them locked for extended periods.

 

According to them, the practice contributes to the underutilisation of existing market infrastructure while genuine small-scale traders struggle to secure affordable spaces.

 

They recommend stricter measures against owners of permanently locked shops, noting that sustaining organised markets is essential to preserving Abuja’s urban planning objectives and preventing uncontrolled commercial activities along major roads.

 

Against this backdrop, urban development experts argue that enforcement alone may not deliver sustainable results.

 

Rather, a combination of affordable shop allocation policies, improved infrastructure, consistent market management and trader engagement may be required to encourage a gradual shift from roadside trading to designated commercial spaces.

 

In the long term, they say, addressing these underlying economic realities will be critical to preserving Abuja’s urban planning objectives while protecting the livelihoods of thousands of small-scale traders.

 

Observers maintain that unless economic and infrastructural challenges are addressed, roadside trading will continue to expand in spite of repeated enforcement efforts.

 

They further note that rapid population growth in the FCT has outpaced the development of supporting facilities, underscoring the need to balance urban order with economic survival in one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing cities.

 

Ultimately, the situation highlights the complex relationship between urban planning and economic survival.

 

While authorities seek to maintain order and protect public infrastructure, traders continue to prioritise locations that offer visibility and daily income.

 

Unless these competing interests are carefully balanced, observers warn that the sight of locked market shops alongside bustling roadside stalls may remain a defining feature of many FCT communities for years to come. (NANFeatures)