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Nigeria’s Mall Retail Falters as Shoprite Completes Shutdown After 20 Years

Published

1 month ago

March 7, 2026

Nigeria’s Mall Retail Falters as Shoprite Completes Shutdown After 20 Years

Nigeria’s bustling mall economy, estimated to be worth about ₦2.5 trillion, has taken a significant hit with the final shutdown of South Africa‑origin retail giant Shoprite across the country after more than 20 years of operations. The supermarket chain — once a key anchor tenant in major retail complexes — has now closed all its outlets, triggering losses across the broader retail ecosystem.

Retail industry analysts estimate that approximately ₦1.4 trillion in economic activity may have been lost with Shoprite’s departure, as hundreds of ancillary businesses that depended on the supermarket’s presence are now experiencing sharp revenue declines or closure. Many suppliers, workers, and small business owners who thrived on Shoprite‑driven foot traffic are struggling to stay afloat amid the fallout.

Impact on Jobs, Supply Chains and Small Businesses

Vanguard’s investigations reveal the shutdown has directly affected thousands of staff and suppliers. Shoprite served not just as a retail outlet for groceries and household goods but also as a bulk purchaser for local producers, including food manufacturers, beverage suppliers and distributors of Nigerian‑made products. With its exit, these suppliers have lost a major sales channel, forcing some to scale down or entirely halt operations.

Inside many malls where Shoprite operated — such as Festac Mall and Apapa Mall in Lagos, Dugbe and Ring Road malls in Ibadan, and various complexes in Abuja and Akure — smaller stores that thrived on customer spill‑over traffic have seen business plunge. Boutique owners, eateries, pharmacies, phone accessories shops, and cinema outlets say sales have dropped significantly since Shoprite’s shelves went empty and doors closed permanently.

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A fashion retailer at Apapa Mall told our correspondent that her sales dropped sharply after Shoprite shut down in mid‑2025, with customer flow dwindling from consistent daily shoppers to sporadic walk‑ins. “People came to Shoprite for groceries and then checked other shops. Now only a few customers show up,” she said.

The Downward Spiral: From Crowded Shelves to Empty Aisles

Shoprite first entered Nigeria in 2005, rapidly expanding to about 25 outlets across 13 states due to strong consumer adoption. The brand transformed grocery and household shopping for many Nigerians and became a cornerstone of the mall retail culture.

However, a combination of long‑term financial pressures — including rising foreign exchange costs, logistics challenges, import tariff increases, post‑pandemic disruptions, and persistent inventory shortages — gradually weakened the business. In 2021, Shoprite Holdings Limited of South Africa exited direct ownership, selling the Nigerian operations to Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Limited (RSNL), owned in part by Ketron Investment Limited and Persianas Investment.

Under NESNL leadership, led by entrepreneur Toby Amusan, optimism briefly returned as festive seasons saw renewed activity, and families once again flocked to Shoprite stores. Yet by 2024, customers began noticing empty shelves at several locations, and by late 2025, multiple outlets in Lagos and other cities had shut their doors entirely.

In Kano, the Ado Bayero Mall Shoprite — once a lively retail hub — closed as early as January 2024. Residents said the mall, once buzzing with activity, now recorded low foot traffic with many stalls empty or operating at minimal capacity.

Economy, Employment and Community Voices

Across Akure in Ondo State, the shuttered Shoprite outlet on Igbatoro Road now stands under lock and key, with empty aisles and deserted premises. Former staff, such as sales attendant Fatima Ogundari, described how the closure left employees stranded with few alternatives. “I started a POS business just to survive. Many of my colleagues are still searching for new means of livelihood,” she said.

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Local retailers also say their supply chains have been disrupted, forcing them to pivot to other customers or reduce stock. A boutique sales representative said: “Shoprite used to buy in bulk from suppliers, helping many businesses grow. Now we’re stuck with unsold products and fewer outlets for distribution.”

At Festac Mall, while unrelated attractions like the hotel and club still draw visitors, many smaller shops have scaled back operations due to a steep drop in customers. A sports shoe seller explained sales that once reached over ₦2.5 million weekly now barely pull ₦1 million, making it difficult to cover rent and utilities.

Ibadan and Abuja Feel the Pain Too

In Ibadan, the closure of Shoprite outlets at Dugbe and Ring Road turned once‑lively malls into near‑quiet spaces. Shop shelves that once offered competitive pricing and weekly deals now sit mostly empty, with reduced foot traffic affecting shops and suppliers alike. Former staff report layoffs and modest severance arrangements that did little to offset job losses.

One supervisor at the Ring Road outlet described how rumours of irregularities circulated before the closure, but most employees were unaware of the full reasons. A local food supplier said the supermarket’s exit affected his turnover, forcing him to target smaller retailers with lower demand.

In Abuja, Shoprite’s closure at Silverbird Mall since September 2025 left a large retail void. Mall managers say business hasn’t collapsed entirely, but the absence of a major anchor tenant has altered customer flow patterns, reducing overall visits. Some complexes have begun attracting new tenants. In Novare Central, for example, SPAR is poised to take over the former Shoprite space, offering cautious optimism that foot traffic and sales might recover once operations fully commence.

Warri & Kaduna: Varying Experiences

In Warri, Delta State, the Shoprite outlet at Effurun roundabout remains open but struggling. Customers and ancillary vendors report slow sales due to ongoing mall reconstruction projects and reduced attraction from surrounding shops. Some independent supermarkets have opened around the Shoprite building, but local operators complain of weak patronage and lower demand for goods that Shoprite previously drew into the area.

In Kaduna, the Shoprite outlet on Independence Way stands completely shut, with no staff or customers in sight — a sign that the shutdown was part of a nationwide winding‑down strategy rather than isolated store closures.

’Not an Exit, But a Reset’ — RSNL’s Position

While many Nigerians view the shutdown as a final departure, Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Limited (RSNL) insists the process represents a “comprehensive business model reset” aimed at aligning operations with current economic realities. Chief Strategy Officer Bunmi Cynthia Adeleye said the reset is intended for long‑term sustainability amid macroeconomic headwinds, but did not provide a clear timeline for reopening or large‑scale return.

For now, questions linger over when or if Shoprite outlets will resume large‑scale operations in Nigeria. Until then, the shutdown continues to weigh heavily on the mall economy, consumer confidence, and the interconnected web of small businesses that once thrived in Shoprite’s shadow.

Nigeria’s Mall Retail Falters as Shoprite Completes Shutdown After 20 Years

Related Topics:Nigeria Retail Shoprite Shutdown

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Senate Summons Kyari, Ojulari Over ₦210 Trillion NNPCL Audit Queries

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2 hours ago

April 16, 2026

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Immediate past GCEO Mele Kyari and Group Chief Executive Officer Bayo Ojulari

Senate Summons Kyari, Ojulari Over ₦210 Trillion NNPCL Audit Queries

The Nigerian Senate has ordered the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to appear before its Committee on Public Accounts on April 29, 2026, to explain an alleged ₦210 trillion flagged in audit reports covering 2017 to 2023.

The directive followed a motion moved by Senator Osita Izunaso and seconded by Senator Adams Oshiomhole during plenary, reflecting growing legislative pressure over the company’s financial disclosures and audit compliance.

The committee also mandated the appearance of top former and current officials of the oil company, including Group Chief Executive Officer Bayo Ojulari, immediate past GCEO Mele Kyari, former Chief Financial Officer Umar Ajia, Bala Wunti, as well as the company’s external auditors, insisting that their attendance is compulsory.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Senator Aliyu Wadada, said lawmakers remain dissatisfied with explanations provided by NNPCL regarding the disputed figures, stressing that the queries raised in audit reports require full and detailed clarification.

According to Wadada, the committee rejected what he described as a “blanket explanation” from NNPCL regarding ₦103 trillion categorised as liabilities, noting that the breakdown of the figures was insufficient and lacked transparency.

He explained that the Senate expects detailed clarification on the components of the liabilities, including retention fees, legal fees, and audit fees, with specific amounts attached to each category.

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Wadada further stated that the committee is also demanding clarity on an additional ₦107 trillion reportedly linked to Joint Venture (JV) cash calls and other financial obligations, including funds allegedly associated with defunct banks whose identities were not disclosed.

He said:
“The NNPCL is given an additional two weeks to unfailingly appear before this committee. The deadline for compliance is Wednesday, April 29, 2026.”

Lawmakers also criticised the company’s response to 19 audit queries, describing them as inadequate and failing to meet expectations for public accountability and financial transparency.

Earlier during the session, Senator Abdul Ningi urged the Senate to invoke its constitutional powers to compel compliance, citing repeated failures by key officials to honour legislative invitations.

He warned that the legislature risks undermining its oversight authority if agencies continue to ignore summons, stressing that democratic accountability depends on the strength of parliamentary scrutiny.

The latest development intensifies scrutiny on the oil giant, which has faced increasing public and institutional pressure over financial transparency, revenue management, and audit reconciliation gaps in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.

The Senate’s directive signals a stronger push for accountability in one of Nigeria’s most sensitive revenue-generating institutions, as lawmakers demand full disclosure of all queried funds.

Senate Summons Kyari, Ojulari Over ₦210 Trillion NNPCL Audit Queries

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UNILAG Lecturer Sexual Assault Trial: Student Testifies in Lagos Court

Published

2 hours ago

April 16, 2026

Trends Admin

UNILAG Lecturer Sexual Assault Trial: Student Testifies in Lagos Court

A 20-year-old student of the University of Lagos has testified before a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, detailing allegations of sexual assault against a 53-year-old lecturer, Samuel Obinna Ojogbo.

The case, which is being prosecuted by the Lagos State Government, involves two counts of rape and sexual assault, with the student appearing as the first prosecution witness before Justice Oyindamola Ogala.

According to her testimony, the incident allegedly occurred on August 22, 2025, at the university’s Akoka campus after the lecturer invited her to his office following an earlier interaction during an examination the previous day.

The witness told the court that she had initially attempted to meet the lecturer after her exam but was unable to do so until the following day, when she encountered him again near her faculty and accompanied him to his office.

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She described the office as secluded and said that during their interaction, other students briefly entered but were asked to leave by the lecturer.

The student further testified that after the alleged incident, she left in distress and immediately reported the matter, beginning with a friend and later escalating it within the institution.

She said the case was first reported to a lecturer in her department, who contacted her uncle—also a lecturer—before the matter was taken to the Head of Department. However, she indicated that the initial response raised concerns about lack of evidence.

Despite this, the complaint was escalated to the university’s Servicom office, leading to a medical examination at the school’s health centre.

The witness added that she later reported the case to the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, which referred her to the police. The case was initially handled at Bariga Police Station before being transferred to the Gender Unit for further investigation. She also underwent further evaluation at WARIF.

She told the court that there were attempts by individuals connected to the defendant to resolve the matter outside court, but the case proceeded to trial.

The defendant has denied the allegations.

Justice Ogala adjourned the case to April 27, 2026, for cross-examination, as the UNILAG sexual assault case continues to draw public attention and fuel conversations around campus safety, sexual misconduct, and accountability in Nigerian universities.

UNILAG Lecturer Sexual Assault Trial: Student Testifies in Lagos Court

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Grandfather in police net for impregnating granddaughter

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2 hours ago

April 16, 2026

Trends Admin

Grandfather in police net for impregnating granddaughter

The Niger State Child Rights Agency says a 65-year-old grandfather, Musa Gado, is detained in Police custody for allegedly impregnating his 16-year old granddaughter (name withheld).

The Director General of the agency, Hajiya Kaltume Mohammed, made this known to newsmen in Minna on Wednesday.

She said that a Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid (DNA) Test confirmed that Gado, the maternal grandfather of the victim from Mashegu LGA of the state, is the biological father of the four-month-old baby delivered by his granddaughter.

According to the DG, the suspect made several fruitless attempts to abort the pregnancy.

She revealed that the victim’s father, Mr Lawal Nababa, registered a complaint in 2025 for alleged repeated sexual assaults on his daughter by her maternal grandfather.

The director general said at the time the matter was reported at the agency, the victim was six months pregnant and was kept in the agency’s custody until she delivered a baby boy in December 2025.

She said the teenager, whose parents are still alive, was reportedly taken by her maternal grandmother since childhood.

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Mohammed, however, said the suspect had denied responsibility for the act, thus forcing the agency to order the DNA test that was conducted in a laboratory outside Nigeria at a cost of N500,000.

“When the girl was brought to the agency, she was actually six months pregnant. We had to do some medical checkups, and she was kept under the custody of the agency from that time until now.

“She gave birth in December, and we agreed that the only way we could get to the root of the matter and establish the fact was to go for the DNA test, which was agreed by both parties.

“After she gave birth, we waited for her to be strong before we went for the paternity test and within five weeks the result came out, and it was announced that the grandfather was the father of the baby because the result was 99.9999 per cent positive,” she said.

The director general revealed that the suspect, currently in Police custody, would be charged to court after police had completed its investigation.

Mohammed also disclosed that the agency was currently handling six similar cases, including that of a father who had been having carnal knowledge of his biological daughter.

“Child molestation and rape are alarming in the state.

“I assumed office as the DG Niger State Child Rights Agency in November 2025, and honestly, we have had a lot of issues of rape where children were molested by their parents, neighbours and some people within the community.

“Right now, we have six cases we are prosecuting, and the most important one we are handling right now is that of the 16-year-old girl who was impregnated by her grandfather.

“This case was reported to the agency by the father of the girl on 5th October 2025,” she said.