By Osehobo Ofure, Benin City
Street trading has become a permanent fixture across major South-South Nigerian state capitals—Benin City, Port Harcourt, Uyo, Calabar, Asaba, and Yenagoa—creating daily gridlocks, distorting urban master plans, and raising serious safety concerns.
Despite being a survival strategy for low-income Nigerians, the unregulated expansion of street trading has evolved into a full-blown urban crisis. Governments across these states have implemented periodic raids, demolished illegal structures, and announced trading bans in attempts to reclaim public spaces. Nevertheless, the problem persists—driven by unemployment, poverty, inadequate affordable market facilities, and the appeal of high customer traffic in city centers.
The World Bank’s Poverty and Shared Prosperity Report (2020) identifies poverty as a primary driver of informal economic activities like street trading. In sub-Saharan Africa, where poverty rates remain elevated, many citizens turn to street vending for daily survival due to limited access to capital and resources needed for formal businesses.
Benin City based geographer Ignatius Ozue explains, “High joblessness forces many people into street trading as an immediate survival mechanism, offering them accessible opportunities to earn a living. Many cannot access formal business structures and embrace street trading to meet daily needs.”
Businessman Fred Okluelegbe argues that across South-South states, “The scarcity of affordable, well-structured market spaces pushed traders onto streets, where they operate without costly rents and levies. Street traders deliberately position themselves in areas with dense human traffic to maximize profits.”
Governments across the zone have repeatedly attempted to address street trading through legislation and enforcement efforts, citing traffic congestion, environmental hazards, and increasing criminal activities as primary concerns.
In Cross River State, the Traffic Management and Regulatory Agency (TRAMRA) launched an awareness campaign called “Operation No Street Trading” at Watt Market in Calabar. TRAMRA’s Public Relations Officer, Bassey Okokon, explained the risks of roadway trading, particularly potential injuries from careless drivers. “Your safety is paramount. Trading on streets endangers lives and creates significant traffic problems,” Mr. Bassey emphasized.
TRAMRA Director-General Effiong Umoh reinforced this message during visits to notorious street markets like Mobile Junction and Ikot Ishie Market, stressing compliance as necessary for sustaining both trader livelihoods and public safety. “It’s about more than business; it’s about protecting our community,” he stated.
At Marian Market, the DG met with the Traders Association and toured the facilities, reinforcing the message about street trading hazards. Mr. Ekpo expressed frustration over traders’ persistent disregard for previous warnings. The team announced that the next phase would involve enforcement measures, with Mr. Bassey stating, “We hope to create a safety culture where everyone understands their community role.”
In Bayelsa State, Governor Douye Diri ordered the removal of all illegal structures and banned street trading around all Yenagoa markets last month. This directive followed resurgent clashes between rival cult groups at Swali market. Governor Diri noted that his administration had previously evacuated illegal traders and structures to restore order, but expressed regret that miscreants and traders had reoccupied the area.
“There has been a running battle between cult groups around Swali market. I hereby direct the Special Advisers on Security Matters to swing into action. From today, no street trading should be found in or around Swali market and all other markets within the state capital,” the governor declared.
The enforcement team included Brig. Gen. Eric Angaye (rtd.), Bayelsa State Volunteers Chairman Oyinkuro Lucky Asanakpo, and Vigilante Services Chairman Doubiye Alagba, who collaborated with security agencies. Mr. Asanakpo emphasized that street trading poses serious risks, especially to women and children, and warned that arrested offenders would face swift prosecution.
In Akwa Ibom, the Uyo Capital City Development Authority (UCCDA) intensified monitoring of the government’s ban on illegal roadside trading. Executive Chairman Anietie Eka said the efforts aim to ensure compliance with the ban on illegal street trading and indiscriminate display of wares that obstruct pedestrian movement and traffic.
The UCCDA monitoring team dismantled illegal structures, confiscated goods displayed on walkways, and warned repeat offenders. Eka stated, “We aren’t against trading, but it must occur within designated markets. Street trading poses serious environmental and safety risks.”
Affected traders pleaded for leniency, citing economic hardship as their motivation. However, the UCCDA maintained that alternatives exist, including designated markets and available spaces within the plaza.
Delta State has consistently considered street trading risky because citizens face safety and security hazards. The Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency (DSCTDA) enforces the government’s “No street trading policy” and recently distributed cash gifts to women trading along Asaba market sidewalks, encouraging them to relocate to designated market spaces.
In Edo State, street trading has spiked around Benin City’s Ring Road, Ekiosa, and New Benin markets. The State Waste Management Board conducted demolitions of illegal structures throughout the city center. Sources indicate many street traders actually own shops within main markets but deliberately operate on streets believing this guarantees better patronage.
Rivers State established a taskforce to eradicate street trading and illegal motor parks in Port Harcourt. Taskforce members were prohibited from collecting money from the public, as only mobile courts can impose fines. A former Port Harcourt mayor adopted a hands-on approach, personally engaging traders and drivers, appealing to traders to return to markets and advising drivers to park appropriately.
These efforts across the South-South region demonstrate state governments’ determination to restore urban order. However, enforcement alone may not permanently solve the problem.
According to Leftist Osaretin Edigin of the Edo State Coalition of Civil Society Groups, addressing root causes—including poverty and inadequate market facilities—is essential. He emphasizes the importance of continuous sensitization programs to educate traders on associated risks and compliance with urban planning laws.
Edigin suggests governments must ensure transparency in awarding enforcement contracts, as officials have sometimes compromised or monetized the process, undermining policy objectives.
Whether recent interventions will achieve lasting results or fade like past initiatives remains uncertain. What’s clear is that state governments increasingly recognize the dangers of uncontrolled street trading and are taking decisive steps to protect lives, improve traffic flow, and preserve urban environments.
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