The Abeokuta North Local Government has announced the suspension of all market leadership structures across the local government area, including Iyalojas, Babalojas and existing market executives, as part of a sweeping reform to restore order and improve commercial activities.
The decision, approved by the local government management under the leadership of the Chairman, Honourable Pastor Lanre Oyegbola-Sodipo, comes with the immediate establishment of a Central Market Management and Monitoring Committee (C3MC) to oversee all market-related affairs within the council area.
According to an official statement, the directive takes effect Wednesday, December 31, 2025, and will remain in force for an initial period of six months. During this period, all market activities are to be conducted strictly under the supervision of the C3MC, which will report directly to the Chairman and the council’s Finance and General Purposes Committee (F&GPC).
The newly constituted committee will be chaired by Alhaja Faidat Akintunde Sarumi. Other members include Alhaja Zainab Faleye, Alhaji Tokunbo Razaq, Mr Kazeem Shogbiyanju, Mrs Funmi Olaonipekun, Alhaji Nureini Oke, Alhaji Semiu Oderinde, Alhaja Bolanle Jelilat Ajayi, Mr Adebayo Tajudeen, Mr Saheed Ajamagbiso, Mr Kayode Ajibola, Mr Yomi Shomuyiwa, Mr Samson Akintade (Santana) and Mr Idowu Abegunrin. Alhaja Mutiat Omowunmi Agbaje will serve as Secretary.
The local government warned members of the public against engaging with the suspended market leaders, stressing that anyone who does so “acts at their own peril.”
The C3MC has been given a broad mandate, including conducting a comprehensive market count, assessing required facilities, recommending appropriate rates and collection cycles, managing traffic flow within and around markets, and proposing sustainable market structures. Other responsibilities include immediate evacuation of refuse, clearing blocked drainages, reviewing market security in collaboration with security agencies, enforcing environmentally acceptable practices, and creating a robust digital database of all market segments through proper uploading on the local government portal.
The committee is scheduled to be formally inaugurated on Friday, January 2, 2026, at 11:00am, at the conference room of the Abeokuta North Local Government Secretariat.
The council said the initiative is aimed at restoring sanity, structure and long-term development across all markets in Abeokuta North.
