NEWS
Ariaria Market: Abia State Govt Sets October 31 Deadline for Shop Owners’ Verification Ahead of Second-Phase Renovation
The Abia State Government has fixed October 31, 2026, as the final deadline for the completion of the validation and verification of original shop owners at Ariaria International Market in Aba, warning that the exercise must be concluded before construction work begins on other sections of the market.
The deadline is part of the state government’s efforts to ensure that genuine shop owners are identified and protected as the administration of Governor Alex Otti advances plans to extend the ongoing renovation of one of Nigeria’s most prominent commercial hubs.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday, October 12, 2026, while briefing pressmen on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
According to the commissioner, following the completion of renovation work on the A-Line section of Ariaria International Market, the state government is preparing to commence the second phase of the project, which will cover other sections of the market.
He explained that the Ministry of Trade and Commerce had been directed to conclude the verification and validation exercise before construction begins, stressing that the process is essential to fulfilling the governor’s commitment to ensuring that original shop owners are not unfairly displaced or denied access to the newly constructed shops.
“Let me inform us that with the completion of the A-Line part of the Ariaria International Market, the Abia State Government is poised to commence the construction of other parts of the market.
“In line with the Governor’s promise to ensure that all original shop owners are not denied access to the newly built shops, the Ministry of Trade and Commerce has been directed to conclude the validation of such owners before the commencement of the second phase of renovations.
“The validation exercise will be concluded on the 31st of October 2026,” Prince Kanu stated.
However, the commissioner expressed concern over the slow pace of the verification exercise, noting that the level of participation by some of the original shop owners had not met expectations despite the opportunity provided by the state government.
“So far, the verification and validation exercises have been slow because the original shop owners are not taking full advantage of this offer from the state government,” the Commissioner noted.
Prince Kanu consequently urged all affected traders who have yet to complete the process to take advantage of the remaining time and present themselves for verification before the October 31 deadline.
The exercise is intended to establish the identities and legitimate claims of the original shop owners ahead of the next phase of construction, helping to reduce disputes over shop ownership and ensure that the allocation process reflects the government’s stated commitment to protecting existing traders.
Ariaria International Market, a major commercial centre in Aba, attracts traders, manufacturers, wholesalers and buyers from across Nigeria and beyond. Its renovation is therefore significant not only to the traders operating within the market but also to the wider economy of Aba and Abia State.
With the deadline now firmly established, affected shop owners are expected to act promptly to complete their validation, as the government moves towards expanding the renovation project beyond the completed A-Line section.
The Abia State Government’s position is that the verification exercise must be completed before work begins on the next phase, making timely participation by the original shop owners crucial to the smooth impl
ementation of the project.