By Our Reporter
The Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, and the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, have described the unveiling of the Ojaja Mall as a bold national vision and a pioneering indigenous retail initiative.
Shettima and Sanwo-Olu made this remark at the commissioning ceremony held at Chaplin Court, Lekki Scheme II, Ogombo Road, Ajah, Lagos, noting that the Ojaja Mall, conceived by His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, represented one of Nigeria’s first homegrown retail chains dedicated to promoting Made-in-Nigeria products, empowering local enterprises, and creating thousands of jobs nationwide.
The vice president, who was represented by the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs, attached to the Office of the Vice President, Dr. Tope Fasua, emphasized that the Ojaja Mall is more than a commercial complex, but a technology-driven ecosystem designed to empower micro, small, and medium enterprises, provide access to AI tools, and inspire innovation among Nigeria’s youth.
Shettima added that the inclusion of a dedicated MSME hub in the economy positions the development as a catalyst for entrepreneurship and a model for the nation’s goal of building a $1 trillion economy.
"This project proves that Nigeria is the best place for local talent, enterprise, and digital creativity to thrive," he concluded.
Also, speaking, Governor Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, stated that the complex is not just a building, but the beginning of a new retail model, and one that blends culture with commerce, tradition with innovation, as well as economic inclusion with a modern consumer experience.
"It stands as a symbol of confidence in Nigerian enterprise and a statement that our future prosperity will be created by our own hands," he said.
The governor emphasized that Lagos, as the commercial heartbeat of the nation, thrives on ideas that expand opportunities, grow markets, and deepen shared prosperity, adding that Ojaja Mall reinforces the state government’s objective of building a 21st-century economic hub anchored on indigenous production, structured retail systems, and value-chain expansion.
Sanwo-Olu stated that the mall provided a valuable platform for Nigerian producers to sell, scale, and succeed, further aligning with the state government’s commitment to private-sector-led economic growth, technology adoption, and youth empowerment.
"As we continue to invest in infrastructure - roads, rails, ports, power, and digital systems - developments like Ojaja Mall transform these foundations into jobs, income, and opportunity. This mall will stimulate tourism, energize the hospitality sector, and strengthen our creative industry," the Governor said.
Sanwo-Olu further stressed that the Ojaja Mall demonstrated that Nigeria’s marketplace can be Nigerian-owned, Nigerian-supplied, and globally competitive, charging the youth to leverage emerging opportunities.
He noted that the project would generate hundreds of direct jobs and thousands of value-chain roles across retail, hospitality, logistics, technology, and creative services.
Addressing the SME community, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the mall offered profound benefits by providing access to customers, structured retail spaces, and a marketplace that prioritizes Nigerian-made products, positioning Ojaja Mall as a launchpad for growth.
Speaking further, the governor reiterated the state government’s readiness to scale such models, deepen local production, and build a more inclusive and competitive economy.
Governor Sanwo-Olu commended the Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, for his courage and transformative vision, noting that he had demonstrated that culture can drive commerce and that modern prosperity can grow from indigenous pride.
In his welcome address, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, stated that the launch and official opening of the Ojaja Mall was strategically positioned to support the nation’s digital economy and strengthen the growth of Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs), describing SMEs as the engine of any thriving economy.
The monarch emphasized that many of the materials used in constructing the mall were locally sourced and locally produced, noting that this milestone reinforces confidence in Nigeria’s capacity to conceptualize and deliver major projects using homegrown resources.
Oba Ogunwusi explained that Nigerians possessed the ability to design, build, and execute world-class projects within the country—provided there was dedication and strong collaboration across sectors, harnessing the nation’s diverse comparative advantages to bring such initiatives to fruition.
"Ojaja Commercial Hub is the largest integrated centre of its kind, and it is happening here in Lagos State. Many people believe that nothing good can come out of our country, but this project clearly demonstrates what is possible within our own communities, because 95 percent of the materials and inputs used here were locally sourced and locally made.
"We ensured that there was no dependence on foreign exchange for this project. It means a great deal to us, and we successfully brought together thousands of small and medium-scale enterprises, integrated into one ecosystem, to bring this vision to reality," Oba Ogunwusi stated.
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