Traders in Ibadan Weigh In on the New Market Levy

A revised levy structure introduced by the local council this quarter has stirred quiet but persistent debate among traders at one of Ibadan's busiest markets. The change, which adjusts stall fees based on location and goods category, took effect last month with limited public notice.

Council officials describe the adjustment as necessary cost recovery, pointing to overdue maintenance of drainage and sanitation facilities across the market. Traders, for their part, are divided on whether the increase is proportionate to what they can expect in return.

A split among stallholders

Interviews conducted at the market over two separate visits found a genuine split in opinion, not simply resistance to any increase. Traders selling perishable goods near the market's main entrance, whose fees rose the most under the new structure, were the most critical. Those further from the entrance, where increases were smaller, were more willing to accept the change if maintenance work actually follows.

"Nobody is against paying more if the gutters actually get fixed this time. We've heard that promise before."

What the council says happens next

A council spokesperson confirmed that revenue from the revised levy is earmarked for drainage repair and waste collection upgrades, with work expected to begin within the current quarter. No binding timeline has been published, and several traders noted that similar assurances accompanied a previous levy adjustment three years ago that saw only partial follow-through.

We intend to revisit the market once the stated maintenance work is due to begin, to see whether this round of commitments holds up better than the last.