Kwara’s Renewal Project Will Suffocate Challenge Market
By Abdulganiyu Mahamud Ajetunmobi,
The Challenge Market in Ilorin was once a bustling hub of youth innovation and commerce. Known as Kwara’s “tech haven,” it offered countless opportunities for young entrepreneurs selling phones, laptops, gadgets, and accessories. More than 6,000 individuals earned a living here, contributing significantly to the state’s economy.
Today, this thriving ecosystem faces an existential crisis. The state government’s decision to fence off the market from the main road, under the guise of an urban renewal project, has cast a shadow over its survival. While officials cite plans for a railway setback, the lack of a proper relocation strategy has left livelihoods hanging by a thread.
The Ripple of Despair
For years, Challenge Market mirrored the economic vitality of iconic hubs like Farm Centre in Kano and Kaduna Junction in Kaduna. It was not just a marketplace but a community—a nerve center where dreams of financial independence and entrepreneurial growth flourished.
The government’s decision has disrupted this delicate ecosystem. A two-day protest erupted as youths expressed their frustrations. These were not just cries of defiance but of desperation. Entrepreneurs saw their businesses dislodged, breadwinners feared losing their means of survival, and families grappled with an uncertain future.
A Universal Economic Truth
Globally, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of economic growth. According to the World Bank, they account for 90% of businesses and 50% of employment worldwide. In Nigeria, MSMEs contribute over 48% to GDP and employ more than 80% of the labor force.
Imagine if Shenzhen, China’s tech hub, had been stifled instead of nurtured. Once a fishing village, it grew into a global technology powerhouse because of strategic investments, infrastructure development, and policies that encouraged innovation. Challenge Market in Kwara holds similar potential, yet it faces the risk of being obliterated without thoughtful planning.
A Pattern of Missteps
Across Nigeria, governments have often mistaken destruction for development. Kwara’s approach to Challenge Market is no different. Over 6,000 entrepreneurs have been displaced with no evidence of relocation plans or alternative infrastructure.
Globally, progressive governments prioritize SMEs. In Singapore, initiatives like “Startup SG” empower small businesses with funding and mentorship. In the UK, “Enterprise Zones” offer tax breaks and simplified planning regulations to stimulate economic growth. Instead of tearing down its entrepreneurial hubs, Kwara could learn from these examples by incorporating SME-friendly urban planning into its development agenda.
A Call for Inclusive Development
The displacement of Challenge Market without clear alternatives is a self-inflicted wound. Kwara risks losing its competitive edge in the tech sector, lagging behind states like Lagos and Rivers that have embraced technology-driven SMEs as pathways to economic prosperity.
Development must be inclusive, not exclusive. Relocation plans, modern infrastructure, and SME-friendly policies are essential for sustainable growth. Destroying markets without offering alternatives is akin to breaking the ladder while climbing. It is counterproductive and detrimental to the future of the state.
Build Bridges, Not Fences
Nelson Mandela once said, “A society that destroys its youth, destroys its future.” Challenge Market is more than a marketplace; it is a symbol of resilience, creativity, and economic empowerment. By erecting a fence, the government is not just blocking a road—it is barricading progress, innovation, and hope.
Kwara’s leaders must rethink their approach. Urban renewal should lift communities, not displace them. Providing alternative facilities, relocation strategies, and modern infrastructure would ensure that young entrepreneurs continue to thrive.
The stakes are high, and the decision is urgent. Challenge Market represents a unique opportunity for growth and prosperity. It is time for Kwara to embrace policies that build bridges to a brighter future, not fences that stifle potential.
Abdulganiyu Mahamud Ajetunmobi, a PRNigeria Fellow, wrote in from Ilorin, Kwara State
