Under the visionary and transformational leadership of Jude Nwankwo, President-General of the Building Materials International Market, Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area, the market has been positioned as a fully modernised and internationally competitive commercial hub for building and construction materials in West Africa.
From its early years, as a loosely organised roadside trading cluster, the market has evolved into a progressive structured and globally attractive destination serving manufacturers, distributors and contractors across Nigeria and neighbouring countries. This transformation reflects Chief Nwankwo’s uncommon blend of administrative discipline, stakeholders engagement and long-term economic planning.
A defining pillar of the current administration is the deliberate investment in smart infrastructure, safety systems and modern utilities. The market is now comprehensively equipped with Close Circuit Television, CCTV, surveillance systems within and around all trading corridors, modern fire-fighting machines strategically positioned for rapid emergency response and a borehole-driven pipe-borne water network serving all lines of the market. modern toilet systems, improved internal layout and quality access roads which have further elevated the operating environment to standards comparable with organised international commercial parks.
In line with global best practices, the administration maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy for touting, extortion and unethical conduct, ensuring that traders, customers and visiting partners operate within a transparent and investor friendly environment. To further strengthen product credibility and consumer protection, market leadership is working closely with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria to promote conformity assessment, quality assurance and high standards of goods traded within the market.
Beyond physical modernisation, Chief Nwankwo’s leadership is defined by a strong human-centred development agenda. Four major residential estates have been acquired for members of the market, providing long-term housing stability and social security for traders and their families. In addition, new and modern market stalls have been constructed specifically to accommodate graduate apprentices, enabling young and educated entrants to transit smoothly from apprenticeship to independent enterprise. This deliberate inclusion strategy reflects a forward-looking commitment to generational continuity and sustainable entrepreneurship.
The administration also operates a targeted empowerment and business-recovery framework for members whose businesses are underperforming. Through structured internal support, mentoring and intervention mechanisms, affected traders are assisted to regain stability and meet their commercial targets, reinforcing a culture of solidarity where progress is shared and no member is left behind.
Through constructive engagement with the administration of Chukwuma Soludo, access roads leading into and around the market have been rehabilitated. This intervention has eased heavy-duty haulage movement, reduced congestion, improved safety and strengthened logistics efficiency for traders, transporters and customers. Chief Nwankwo’s continued advocacy for additional traffic-control infrastructure and a pedestrian bridge further reflects his commitment to human safety and sustainable urban trade.
A major pillar of his leadership legacy is digital and operational reform. In partnership with DanJud Technology and the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service, an electronic haulage and revenue-collection platform was introduced. The system enables mobile payments, instant electronic receipts, eliminates multiple taxation practices and significantly reduces revenue leakages. This reform has strengthened transparency, enhanced trader confidence and aligned the market with modern cashless and data-driven economic practices.
Chief Jude Nwankwo’s record in infrastructure advocacy, digital innovation, regulatory collaboration, youth inclusion and welfare-driven policies clearly demonstrates leadership capacity suited for higher and broader public responsibilities, and positions him as a strategic asset in advancing Anambra State’s economic and institutional development on the international stage.
