Lagos State Government Successfully Relocates Okobaba Plank Market, Provides 260 Flats For Traders In Agbowa.
In a significant step towards urban development and improved living conditions for local traders, the Lagos State Government has announced the successful relocation of the Okobaba Plank Market from its longstanding location in Ebute Meta to a modern, purpose-built facility named Timberville in Agbowa, Epe. Alongside this move, the government has provided 260 two-bedroom flats to accommodate the traders and their families, ensuring a seamless transition to the new site.
The relocation, which forms part of the state’s broader urban regeneration strategy, was confirmed on 26 May 2025 by Dr Olajide Babatunde, Special Adviser to the Governor on e-GIS and Urban Development. “We have not only relocated the traders from Okobaba to Timberville in Agbowa, but we have also ensured their comfort by providing 260 units of two-bedroom flats,” Dr Babatunde stated during the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing. He highlighted the government’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure and supporting local businesses while addressing environmental concerns associated with the former market site.
The new Timberville facility in Agbowa-Ikosi is equipped with modern amenities designed to boost the sawmilling industry. According to reports, the site includes 204 band saw sheds, 204 sales offices, a log preparation area, a boom area, 200 auxiliary sheds, and eight 500KVA power transformers to ensure reliable electricity supply. These facilities aim to create a more organised and efficient trading environment, aligning with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ agenda, which prioritises a cleaner, more habitable Lagos for business and residents alike.
The Okobaba Plank Market, one of Nigeria’s largest sawmills, has been a cornerstone of the timber trade, supplying 80 to 90 per cent of the wood used in Lagos. However, its former location along the Lagos lagoon in Ebute Meta posed environmental challenges, prompting the government to plan its relocation as early as 2020. After years of planning and collaboration with stakeholders, including the Lagos Mainland Sawmillers Association, the move to Timberville has now been realised.
Governor Sanwo-Olu had previously assured traders in 2022 that the relocation would be completed, with a commitment to delivering enduring infrastructure. The provision of 260 two-bedroom flats, including 100 units from the Odo-Onosa housing scheme, underscores the government’s focus on supporting the livelihoods of the over 2,000 sawmill operators affected by the move.
In addition to the relocation, the Lagos State Government has announced plans to regenerate the former Okobaba site in Ebute Meta. The state’s Urban Renewal Agency (LASURA) will spearhead efforts to transform the area, addressing longstanding environmental and urban planning issues. This redevelopment is expected to contribute to the state’s vision of a functional, resilient, and smart 21st-century city.
The successful relocation has been met with optimism, with stakeholders praising the government’s efforts to balance urban development with the needs of local traders. “This move not only modernises the timber trade but also provides a better quality of life for the traders and their families,” said a representative from the Lagos Mainland Sawmillers Association.
As Lagos continues to grow as a commercial hub, initiatives like the Okobaba Plank Market relocation demonstrate the state’s commitment to sustainable development and economic empowerment. The government has also indicated that similar efforts to relocate and upgrade other urban markets are underway, promising further improvements to Lagos’ infrastructure and business landscape.
