By Habeeb Ibrahim
Lagos State Government has closed down 35 supermarkets between January and April 2025 for selling expired goods to unsuspecting residents.
The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperative, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose, during the ongoing ministerial press briefing commemorating Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.
Ambrose revealed that aside from the closures, several other supermarkets faced financial penalties and corrective sanctions after being found culpable. She stressed the importance of consumer vigilance and encouraged Lagosians to continue reporting cases of expired or unsafe products.
“The Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency has intensified public sensitization efforts. Consumers must stay alert and speak up when they suspect foul play,” she said.
Beyond the enforcement actions, Ambrose highlighted significant investment strides made by the state. Notably, she announced a $200 million infrastructure and logistics partnership between the Lagos State Government and Abu Dhabi Ports, a development expected to transform the Lekki corridor through advancements in ICT, healthcare, and port logistics.
She also revealed the ministry’s strengthened collaboration with global stakeholders, including a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), positioning Lagos as a key hub for trade among 56 Commonwealth countries.
On the industrial front, progress is being made on a 44-unit Small-Scale Industrial Estate in Gberigbe, Ikorodu, aimed at supporting light manufacturing and agro-processing businesses. Older estates in Ikeja, Ilupeju, Oshodi-Isolo, and Amuwo-Odofin are also set for revitalization.
Despite the regulatory clampdown, Ambrose pointed out the rapid expansion of the retail sector in Lagos, underscoring both the opportunities and the need for tighter regulation in a rapidly growing consumer market.
