Ado Bayero Mall management is taking steps to revitalize the Kano shopping center as high rent and electricity tariffs force business closures.
With only 37 out of 55 rented shops still occupied, the mall faces a decline in commercial activity, prompting urgent efforts to attract new tenants.
The rising costs have pushed several businesses out, leaving vacant storefronts and reduced customer traffic.
Many shop owners cite unsustainable expenses as the reason for their departure, with some relocating to more affordable locations while others shut down completely.
One tenant who spoke on the condition of anonymity revealed that they barely make sales, linking the challenge to government policies, a high electricity tariff, and rents.
“We hardly make sales now because customers no longer come to the Adobayero Mall as they did before.”
He suggests long-term solutions, such as energy efficiency initiatives and tenant incentives, could restore Adobayero Mall’s status as a thriving commercial hub.
But in a move to revitalize the mall, the manager in charge of marketing and tenancy, Elizabeth Adeyemo, says the management has "launched a marketing campaign to bring in new businesses to make the mall more appealing to entrepreneurs.”
“We have prospective tenants to fill out the shops. Right now we have about five tenants on the ground, and more are coming. Once we complete the necessary paperwork they will open," she said.
Despite the challenges, Elizabeth is optimistic that the mall will stabilize as soon as the new tenants start operations.
ShopRite, one of the anchor tenants, left the Ado Bayero Mall on 14 January 2024. Before that, two other anchor tenants, Game Store and Film House, left in 2023.
