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Summary
Maria Ochefu, the founder of Mammy Markets in Nigerian military barracks, has passed away at 86, leaving behind a lasting legacy of markets that have served soldiers, traders, and civilians for decades.
Maria Ochefu, the founder of Mammy Markets in military barracks across Nigeria, has passed away at the age of 86. She died in her sleep on March 18 in Makurdi, Benue State.
Maria, who pioneered the Mammy Market concept, had been receiving treatment at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital and would have turned 87 in April.
Her journey began in 1959 when she started selling kunu, a local millet drink, in an army barracks. What started as a small business soon grew into a nationwide market system, providing soldiers, traders, and civilians with a reliable source of goods and an opportunity to earn a living.
When the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme was introduced in 1973, Mammy Markets became a key part of NYSC orientation camps, serving as the go-to spot for corps members to buy food and supplies. Even universities adopted the idea, with students running hostel-based Mammy Markets, keeping the tradition alive.
Maria Ochefu’s legacy remains deeply rooted in Nigeria’s military communities. The markets she established have become an essential part of barrack life, supplying basic goods, food, and a space for social interactions. Her contribution to military families and their well-being continues to be celebrated, as tributes pour in from Nigerians who recognise the lasting impact of her innovation.
