Maria Ochefu’s early life was marked by simplicity and transition. She was born in Otukpo, Benue State, and grew up in the local prison yards where her father worked. Her name “Mammy,” given from birth, fittingly meant “mother” in her native Idoma language. At the young age of 14, she was introduced to and married a young corporal in the Nigerian Army, Anthony Ochefu, beginning her life as a military wife.
The Birth of an Institution: A Kunu Stall in Enugu
Her legendary venture began out of a desire for purpose. In 1959, as a young wife with no formal job at the Abakpa Military Barracks in Enugu, she decided to make and sell kunu, a nutritious local millet drink. Her fresh kunu quickly became a sensation among the soldiers.
However, the business faced a hurdle when the Regiment Sergeant Major (RSM) ordered her to stop, citing concerns about flies. But the soldiers, who had grown fond of her drink, protested on her behalf. Their collective voice led to a pivotal compromise: the RSM granted her a dedicated space within the barracks to operate. A tent was erected, and on it, a sign in Hausa boldly read: “Welcome to the barracks, let’s branch at Mammy Market and drink Kunu”.
How a Personal Stall Became a National Model
This single authorized stall sparked a nationwide phenomenon. As her husband was transferred to different barracks in Zaria, Kaduna, and Ibadan, the “Mammy Market” concept traveled with them. At each new posting, soldiers would construct a similar stall for her, and other military wives began setting up their own businesses nearby.
By 1973, the practical model was formally adopted into the newly created National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), making Mammy Markets a staple of orientation camps. The concept even spread informally to some university campuses.
A Lasting Entrepreneurial Spirit
Even after her husband’s retirement, Maria Ochefu’s drive continued. In Lagos, she established a supermarket, a pure water factory, and formally registered the business name “Mammy Market”.
Legacy and Final Rest
Mammy Maria Ochefu’s story is a testament to how a simple, community-driven idea can grow into a permanent national institution. Her markets have provided livelihoods for thousands and became essential social and economic hubs. Remarkably, her early customers included future Nigerian heads of state, Yakubu Gowon and Muhammadu Buhari, who enjoyed her kunu during their military service.
She passed away peacefully in Makurdi on March 18, 2025, at the age of 86. While her name may not have been widely known to every Nigerian who has visited a Mammy Market, her legacy is woven into the fabric of the nation’s community life.