Mammy market

Mammy market
LocationVarious military barracks and NYSC camps in Nigeria
Opening date1959 (1959)
Goods soldFood, clothing, electronics, household items

Mammy markets are a feature within Nigerian military barracks and National Youth Service Corps camps. They play a role as a social and economic centre for military personnel and their families. The history of Mammy markets is associated with Mammy Maria Ochefu, who, in 1959, embarked on a venture to supplement her family's income by selling soft drinks, including the millet-based beverage known as kunu. Her work, coupled with the support of the barracks community, led to the establishment of dedicated spaces within barracks for similar enterprises, giving rise to what is now known as a "Mammy Market."