The name Maria Ochefu may not be widely known in military barracks, NYSC camps, and university hostels in Nigeria, but her impact is visible.
Ochefu, the woman behind the Mammy Market, a business model that has served soldiers, traders, and civilians for decades, passed away in her sleep on Tuesday in Makurdi, Benue State, at the age of 86.
Her son, Professor Yakubu Ochefu, confirmed her death on Thursday.
What started in 1959 as a simple kunu business in an army barracks later became a nationwide market system, giving thousands of people an opportunity to earn a living.
How Mammy Market Started
Maria Ochefu’s journey began when she followed her husband, Colonel Anthony Aboki Ochefu, to Abakpa Military Barracks in Enugu. As a young military wife with no formal job, she decided to sell kunu, a local millet drink, to soldiers.
Her business grew quickly, with soldiers lining up for her refreshing drink. But just as she was getting comfortable, a problem arose.
The Regiment Sergeant Major (RSM) at the time ordered her to stop, claiming the crowd and the flies from the drinks were a nuisance in the barracks. As a junior officer’s wife, she had no choice but to comply.
But the soldiers were not ready to let go of her kunu. They protested, insisting she should be allowed to continue. Their efforts paid off when the RSM reconsidered and gave her a small space within the barracks to run her business.
That small decision changed everything.
Simple Stall Became National Model
With a permanent location, Maria expanded her business beyond kunu. She started selling other drinks, and soon, other military wives joined in, offering food, household items, and daily essentials.
The market grew rapidly, becoming a permanent feature in the barracks. Over time, people started calling it Mammy Market, in honor of Maria, whom the soldiers fondly called “Mammy.”
As soldiers were transferred across different states, the Mammy Market concept followed them. Before long, every military barracks in Nigeria had a Mammy Market, operating the same way it started in Enugu.
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It didn’t stop there. 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.
Name Unknown, but Legacy Remains
In a past interview, Maria Ochefu recalled how two former Heads of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd.) and Muhammadu Buhari, were among her customers during their time in the military.
Despite creating a market system that has lasted over six decades, her name remained in the background, while Mammy Markets continued to thrive.
The End of an Era, but the Story Lives On
Maria Ochefu may be gone, but the business model she created continues to provide jobs, convenience, and community support for thousands of Nigerians.
From a simple kunu stall in 1959 to a market culture found in every military barracks, NYSC camp, and student hostel in Nigeria, her story is a reminder that small ideas can create a lasting impact.
