Maria Ochefu, founder of Mammy market, dies at 86

Maria Ochefu, the woman credited with pioneering the Mammy Markets found in military barracks across Nigeria, has passed away at the age of 86.

Her son, Professor Yakubu Ochefu, confirmed her passing on Thursday, stating that she died in her sleep on Tuesday.

Maria Ochefu was the wife of Colonel Anthony Ochefu, a former military governor of Enugu State. In a past interview, she recounted how she started the Mammy Market concept, which has since grown into a major fixture in military barracks nationwide.

She also revealed that two former Heads of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd.) and former President Muhammadu Buhari, were among her early customers.

“Yes, Mama passed away on Tuesday in Makurdi in her sleep,” her son said. “She had been a patient at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, and she would have been 87 in April this year.”