In Lagos, the city of hustle where pavements often double as storefronts, a renewed government crackdown has once again put street trading under legal fire.
On Tuesday, 34 individuals—32 males and two females—were arraigned before a Magistrates’ Court in Bolade, Lagos, for allegedly engaging in illegal street trading and obstructing the road median along the busy Ojo-Alaba corridor. They were remanded in prison custody until July 22, 2025.
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The move, part of a joint operation by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) task force, marks a renewed push by the Lagos State Government to clamp down on the encroachment of public spaces.
But behind the latest arrests lies a long-standing legal framework: the Lagos State Street Trading and Illegal Markets Prohibition Law, 2003, a statute that is firm on paper but has seen sporadic enforcement in practice.
In this report, EKO HOT BLOG examines the law and what the renewed enforcement means.
What Does the Law Say?
The 2003 law explicitly prohibits street trading and the establishment of illegal markets across Lagos State. It prescribes stringent penalties for violators, applying to both sellers and buyers of goods in traffic or in unauthorised public spaces.
According to the law:
- Any individual found selling or buying goods in traffic is liable, upon conviction, to a fine of ₦90,000 or a jail term of six months.
- Sections 7 and 8 empower special courts to order the seizure and public auction of goods confiscated during enforcement operations.
- Section 10 further provides that individuals convicted of lesser street trading offences may be fined ₦5,000 or face three months’ imprisonment.
The law was enacted under the administration of then-Governor Bola Tinubu in response to rising concerns about urban disorder, traffic obstruction, and public safety risks associated with unregulated trading.
History of Enforcement
Despite its comprehensive provisions, the law remained largely under-enforced for over a decade. It only gained widespread attention in July 2016 when a tragic incident occurred. A street trader fleeing from KAI officials was struck and killed by a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) vehicle in Ojota.
The death triggered public debate and intensified scrutiny of the state’s environmental and commercial regulation strategies.
Although former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode announced a crackdown on street trading, enforcement has been inconsistent. It is often visible during high-level government visits, pre-election clean-ups, or after major public complaints.
The Current Crackdown
The latest crackdown along the Ojo-Alaba corridor followed a formal inspection of the Alaba Rago Market by the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab.
According to the ministry’s spokesperson, Mr Kunle Adeshina, the Commissioner expressed concern over environmental degradation and misuse of public infrastructure. A deadline was issued to traders operating illegally along road medians and pedestrian routes.
Following the expiration of that ultimatum, a coordinated enforcement exercise led to the arrests. The suspects were remanded in custody and will remain there until at least July 22, pending further court proceedings.
Why the Law Matters Now
The renewed enforcement signals a reawakening of the 2003 prohibition law, which had long been viewed as dormant. With Lagos State authorities now leaning on its provisions, the law is emerging as a key instrument in the broader campaign to regulate informal commercial activity and reclaim public spaces.
Legal analysts argue that, while the penalties are strict, the law remains within constitutional bounds, given its focus on safety, orderliness and environmental integrity.
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Still, the resurgence of legal action raises critical policy questions. The growth of street trading in Lagos is often linked to broader issues such as unemployment and the lack of affordable market spaces. While the law provides for punitive action, it does not provide relocation plans, rehabilitation or social safety measures for displaced traders.
Philip Ibitoye is a Special Correspondent with EKO HOT BLOG. Click here to find daily analysis and insight on trending issues in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.
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