Top 10 biggest Local markets in Nigeria.

Local markets can be found in every state within the country. Trading in Nigeria has evolved into different levels. The Nigerian local market is full of people who are there for different purposes such as money and product exchange or service and money exchange. Nigeria is one of West Africa’s largest markets and has potential to break into all the continents based on the population of the country. The Nigerian market is seldom restricted to a particular product. It is usually a very large market with different parts that sells different products. It will take you almost an hour to shop for something you need in a market. This is because of manoeuvering , bargainings, long walks, excessive crowd, calls and distraction of traders and even customers.

Listed below are some of Nigeria’s biggest markets for the benefits of people who do not know their way around certain markets and visitors.

1. Computer Village, Lagos.

This market is the largest I.T Hub in West Africa. It is located in Ikeja, Lagos. Although this was a residential area, it turned into a home for gadgets in 2003 when mobile phones were introduced into Nigeria. As of today computer Village is known for deals on sales of mobile phones, computers and any other accessory that goes with them. Computer Village is known to contribute about 2 billion dollars to the country’s economy annually.

2. Onitsha Market, Anambra

This is the biggest largest market in Nigeria and also in West Africa. It sells  almost everything a man could want in the market. There is no product that you can’t get at an affordable rate in this market. People come from different parts of the country to purchase large and small quantities of products for business and also, to get involved in business transactions of different kinds. Most of the sellers get their goods directly from the manufacturer. However, shopping in this market is usually fun but time-consuming and exhausting.

3. Ariaria International Market, Aba – Abia State

Ariaria is Nigeria’s China market. This is where Nigerian made goods are made and sold. They usually make replicas of other products in this market. May have different segments such as one for manufacturing handmade products. This market has been tagged as a market that makes and sells cheap and inferior products. However business hasn’t stopped for customers and dealers as people travel from various parts of the country to buy goods and services from this environment.

4. Kurmi Market, Kano

This is a very large market in Kano which was founded by a king of Kano, Muhammad Rumfa in the 15th century. In this market a lot of local handicrafts can be found such as bags, shoes, bowls, purses, clothes, foodstuffs, wrappers and raffia mats. It is the oldest market in Kano state.

5. Aleshinloye Market, Ibadan

This is one of the biggest markets in ibadan. It once experienced a fire outbreak and was forced to shut down for sometime.  It is  back and running in business and is still being patronized by a lot of people within and outside Ibadan. They sell a lot of materials such as clothes, thrift wears, consumables, bed sheets e.t.c. The market towns within a developed environment.

6. Balogun Market, Lagos

It is the largest market in the city of Lagos. This is where both locally made and imported materials such as fabrics, shoes, jewelries, bags and other fashion accessories can be purchased. It is advisable to go to this market with someone who is familiar with the market as the market is so large and one can get lost within the market

7. Ogbete Main Market, Enugu.

This market is the largest market in Enugu where you can buy almost anything you can imagine at a cheap price. The market has different segments with different areas dedicated to certain products such as electronic vegetables, grocery, electronics, grains, books, clothes etc. It is the most beautiful and organised land market in Nigeria.

8. Oil Mill Market, Port Harcourt

This market is known as midweek or Wednesday Market. It is as old as Port Harcourt itself. It came into existence after the Nigerian-biafra War. It started as a market whose major trading commodity was palm products and cassava. Although the market is meant to operate once a week, the environment has become an everyday market zone while the main market days remain the busiest day of the market.

9. Jos Main Market

It is known as the largest indoor market in West Africa. This market is also known as Jos Terminal Market. The market is arranged and designed in a way where customers do not walk aimlessly for a long time. It is known to have suffered a fire incident in 2002 and also a twin bomb blast in 2014 which has affected it’s business.

10. Zaki Biam Yam Market, Benue

This is Nigeria’s largest mono product market. It is open to only buyers and sellers of yam. People come from different parts of the state to meet with Farmers and other sellers to purchase yams in large quantities for retail. This is where to buy yam at a cheap price because most of the sellers are the yam cultivators. Benue state is the largest yam producing state and Zaki Biam market sells on average 1.5 million tubers of yam annually.