Our reporter
Across all Nigerian military barracks, there is a special place where soldiers and their families go to eat, drink, and purchase daily essentials.
This beloved spot is known as the “Mammy market,” and its origin is rooted in the industrious spirit of one remarkable woman—Mammy Maria Ochefu.
Mammy Ochefu, wife of the late Colonel Anthony Ochefu, began her entrepreneurial journey while they were stationed at a military barrack in Enugu State.
To pass the time and earn extra income, she started selling soft drinks and ‘Kunu’, a traditional Nigerian beverage she made herself. Her homemade drinks quickly became popular among soldiers and their families, who frequently visited her home to buy the refreshing beverages.
However, this success came with a challenge. Complaints about flies being attracted to the drinks forced Mammy to cease production temporarily.
Undeterred by the setback, Mammy’s loyal customers rallied behind her, and a supportive colonel arranged for a designated area behind the barracks where she could continue her business. A tent was set up for her, allowing Mammy Ochefu to restart her venture in a more organized setting. Her business flourished once more.
Inspired by Mammy’s entrepreneurial success, other women in the barracks soon joined her, selling a variety of goods alongside her drinks. This new hub of activity became affectionately known as the “Mammy market,” after the woman who pioneered it.
As Colonel Ochefu was transferred to different states, Mammy carried her business model with her. Each time they moved, she established a new Mammy market in the local barracks. Before leaving a barrack, she would hand over the market’s operation to trusted women, ensuring that the tradition continued under the same name.
Today, Mammy markets have become a permanent feature of military barracks across Nigeria, serving as a testament to Mammy Maria Ochefu’s resilience, resourcefulness, and lasting impact on military life.
Although her husband passed away after they retired to their hometown in Otukpo, Benue State, Mammy Ochefu remains a living legend, embodying the entrepreneurial spirit that gave birth to a cherished institution.
