Abstract
The study extensively examined the contributions of the Igbo ethnic group to the growth and development of Lagos State between 1970 and 2015, revealing that the post-Nigerian Civil War migration became a decisive force in shaping Nigeria's foremost commercial capital. The research established that the Igbo presence is deeply economic and structural in nature, profoundly influencing regional commerce and urban expansion. As Igbo entrepreneurs channeled their resilience and capital into Lagos, their dynamism resulted in the establishment of continental commercial hubs, including Alaba International Market, Ladipo Auto Spare Parts Market, and Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, which generate substantial internally generated revenue and employment. The study provides a comprehensive understanding of how the Igbaboi apprenticeship system served as a unique indigenous model for human capital development and upward mobility, sustaining the economic proliferation of the community. However, it demonstrated that despite these indispensable contributions, the Igbo community's role is continually undermined by the indigene-settler dichotomy and exclusionary urban policies. The study recommended, among others, that Lagos State should formally recognize and co-manage migrant-built markets and establish stronger frameworks for civic inclusion to reconcile economic indispensability with political equity for all residents.
