Post by Henry Emeka (@Emekus)
Number of Nigerian Market Traders Who Could Benefit from Shops to Reduce Street Hawking
There is no single official figure for the total number of Nigerian market women and men who currently hawking on the streets, but available data shows that thousands of women traders in Lagos alone are already paying taxes to operate in markets without adequate facilities.
For example, in Mushin and Oyingbo markets in Lagos State, investigations found that about 2,000 women pay between ₦10,000 and ₦35,000 annually in taxes and levies to sell their goods . These women include provision sellers, hairdressers, and jewelry vendors, and they are paying to “own” their stalls in the market. Despite this, many report poor infrastructure — no water at toilets, lack of electricity, and poor road conditions — which makes their current setup unsustainable
While the Lagos data is limited to one region, it reflects a broader national pattern. Nigeria’s informal economy is dominated by street vendors, many of whom are women, who sell fresh produce, packaged goods, and other items in public spaces . The informal sector employs a significant portion of the urban population, and many traders operate without fixed shops due to high rental costs, lack of infrastructure, or limited access to formal business financing.
Lagos example: ~2,000 women in Mushin/Oyingbo markets pay taxes to operate without adequate facilities
National context: Street hawking is widespread across Nigeria’s major cities and towns, with women forming the majority of vendors
Barriers to shop-based trading: High rental costs, poor infrastructure, and lack of formal business support.
Potential impact of providing shops: If infrastructure and affordable shop space were available, many of these traders could transition from street hawking to fixed stalls, reducing congestion and improving safety.
While the exact national number of Nigerian market women and men who could benefit from shops is not publicly available, the Lagos case alone shows that thousands of women are already in a position where access to proper shop space could significantly reduce street hawking. Scaling this model nationwide would require coordinated urban planning, infrastructure investment, and policy support for informal traders.
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