By Ghazali Ibrahim
The 34th Ikorodu-Oga Festival has sparked a wave of economic activity in Ikorodu, Lagos State, with local vendors and artisans reporting increased sales during the week-long celebration.
The event, organised by the Ikorodu-Oga Development Association (IKODASS), drew thousands of participants, turning the town into a hub for cultural display and informal commerce.
Traders sold items ranging from food to crafts, while hotels and transport services also saw a rise in patronage.
During this year’s carnival, vendors and artisans set up impromptu stalls offering everything from traditional fabrics and handmade crafts to local street food and cultural memorabilia which reflects a vibrant surge in micro‑entrepreneur activity.
A trader in Ladega area of the town, Mrs Fatimah Adeyemi, recounted how sales during the first two days doubled compared with her regular market days. “Every year I bring my beads and cloths here,” she said. “But during Oga Week the turnout is different; people come not just to watch, but to buy, eat and celebrate.”
Another trader in Sabo Market, Risikat Jokomba, who sells food items said there has been unusual traffic in the market ahead of the festive and feels this would run for the next one week has people have travelled home from all over the country and abroad to participate in the festival.
Dr. Nurudeen Yekinni Agbaje, Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Development, called on residents to channel the festival’s momentum into sustainable development.
The festival, which runs from November 8 to 15, continues to serve as a key cultural and economic highlight for the Ikorodu division.
Still, for the week, Ikorodu transforms into a dynamic hub of socio-economic activity, blending celebration and commerce in a unique model of local development.
As the festivities conclude, the key test will be whether the momentum generated can accelerate into sustained business growth beyond carnival limelight.
