By Ejiofor Toochi
In a bold move to curb criminal activity and sanitize Lagos’ largest gadgets hub, the leadership of Computer Village, Ikeja, recently introduced a biometric registration and enumeration exercise.
What is the Biometrics Plan About?
The initiative, launched in May 2025 by Iyaloja, Abisola Azeez and Baba Oja, Adeniyi Olasoji, was introduced as a response to rising concerns over phone snatching, fraudulent technicians, and the sale of substandard goods within the market. According to the new system, every legitimate vendor will now display a visible ID card at their stall. These ID cards confirm that the vendor has undergone biometric registration and has been approved to operate. Equally, vendors will only be allowed to use plastic chairs, display cases, and umbrellas, as wooden stalls and open flames have been banned to prevent fire incidents.
For everyday buyers, this could enhance security and trust by making transactions more transparent and reducing the risk of fraud.
This move however created tension within the market.
Why the Tension?
The biometric registration and enumeration exercise has faced strong resistance, especially from the Coalition of Associations in Computer Village, an umbrella body representing over 18 registered associations within the market.
In a recent statement signed by their president, Pastor Timi David, Jerry Mba (Secretary General), and Ademola Olaifa (PRO), and titled “Disclaimer/Debunking the False Publication: Iyaloja Computer Village’s Unauthorised Biometric Enumeration and False Leadership Claims,” the coalition described the claims about conducting the exercise as false and misleading.
They argued that the imposed Iyaloja and Baba Oja lack the legal authority to carry out such registration, as the associations involved are registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). They also referenced a 2020 court judgment by Justice Y. R. Phineiro, which restrained “Iyaloja by themselves, agents, levy collectors howsoever called are restrained from imposing levies, dues, and/or fines on our members at Ikeja, Computer Village.”
The coalition, therefore, called on the public and business operators to disregard any claims made by the Iyaloja, Baba Oja, or their representatives.
Mike, a vendor at Computer Village described the biometrics and enumeration exercise as greed for money. He explained, “They are charging traders who are not their members N3,000 to register them which we find unacceptable.
“Enumeration of members of traders will not have any benefit on the customers because the street traders and touts on the street were put there by Iyaloja,” he added. “The shop owners can not steal any customer’s phone, laptop or any other item because his shop will be traced but those on the streets supported by iyaloja can’t be traced.”
Speaking to Punch, a source in the market close to the Baba Oja said the biometric registration had already commenced and dismissed the traders’ grievances as baseless. As the two-month deadline approaches, uncertainty lingers in Computer Village, with traders and stakeholders waiting to see how the situation unfolds.
