Known as the most populous nation in Africa, Nigeria is
expected to have one of the busiest and biggest markets in the whole of West
Africa and Africa and it definitely does. The country is known to be one of the
most sought-after hubs for consumer goods worldwide.
expected to have one of the busiest and biggest markets in the whole of West
Africa and Africa and it definitely does. The country is known to be one of the
most sought-after hubs for consumer goods worldwide.
Depending on your list, it would take about 3 to 4 hours
to get your shopping done as most of the busiest and biggest markets in Nigeria
are in an open space, which means you would have to walk long distances to
locate the specific shop that sells the product you require.
to get your shopping done as most of the busiest and biggest markets in Nigeria
are in an open space, which means you would have to walk long distances to
locate the specific shop that sells the product you require.
In this list we are going to talk about the biggest
markets in Nigeria and their locations, we are also going to exclude certain markets
like malls.
markets in Nigeria and their locations, we are also going to exclude certain markets
like malls.
This list goes in no particular order and lists mostly
the biggest and busiest markets in Nigeria who are not only filled with people
during the festive season but also during normal days.
the biggest and busiest markets in Nigeria who are not only filled with people
during the festive season but also during normal days.
1. Onitsha International Marine Market, Onitsha –
Anambra State
The Onitsha International Marine Market is known as the
biggest market in Nigeria and West Africa and takes home this trophy for a
reason. The market offers one of the widest ranges of products and services in
Africa, which means you, can get any kind of product you are looking for in
this market.
biggest market in Nigeria and West Africa and takes home this trophy for a
reason. The market offers one of the widest ranges of products and services in
Africa, which means you, can get any kind of product you are looking for in
this market.
Another reason why the Onitsha market is so popular is that
the products in the market are sold at a more affordable rate compared to other
markets on our list.
the products in the market are sold at a more affordable rate compared to other
markets on our list.
People including retailers from every part of the country
come to this market to purchase good directly from the wholesalers and
manufacturers which makes the market quite busy most of the time. If you are
planning to shop in the Onitsha International Market during the festive season,
then get ready to spend an entire day shopping in the ever busy large market.
come to this market to purchase good directly from the wholesalers and
manufacturers which makes the market quite busy most of the time. If you are
planning to shop in the Onitsha International Market during the festive season,
then get ready to spend an entire day shopping in the ever busy large market.
Shopping in the Onitsha Market is quite fun, but
requires discipline and great bargaining skills as you could be easily
distracted by the abundance of products you might not be able to afford and you
would easily be cheated if you don’t know how to bargain.
requires discipline and great bargaining skills as you could be easily
distracted by the abundance of products you might not be able to afford and you
would easily be cheated if you don’t know how to bargain.
2. Ariaria International Market, Aba – Abia State
Known as the China of Africa, the Ariaria International
Market is the second largest market in Eastern Nigeria. The market is known to
have an abundance of Nigerian made goods.
Market is the second largest market in Eastern Nigeria. The market is known to
have an abundance of Nigerian made goods.
The market also has a section for manufacturers, where a
range of products are made by hand and sold on the spot. Although some people
like to tag the products of the Ariaria International Market cheap and inferior
due to the fact that they are replicas of international brands, this hasn’t
stopped many traders from patronizing the ever busy market.
range of products are made by hand and sold on the spot. Although some people
like to tag the products of the Ariaria International Market cheap and inferior
due to the fact that they are replicas of international brands, this hasn’t
stopped many traders from patronizing the ever busy market.
The market which is also known as one of the largest
leather shoe-making markets in Nigeria and West Africa boasts of an estimated
two million traders making sales in the region daily.
leather shoe-making markets in Nigeria and West Africa boasts of an estimated
two million traders making sales in the region daily.
Once again, you would have to step up your bargaining
skills if you want to get the best out of this market.
skills if you want to get the best out of this market.
3. Alaba International Market, Ojo – Lagos State
Known as the largest electronics market in Africa, the
Alaba International Market is your go-to destination for all kinds of
electronics products from both local and international brands. The market which
is known as one of the economic hubs of Nigeria offers goods at a fairly
affordable rate which makes it a great choice for retailers and consumers.
Alaba International Market is your go-to destination for all kinds of
electronics products from both local and international brands. The market which
is known as one of the economic hubs of Nigeria offers goods at a fairly
affordable rate which makes it a great choice for retailers and consumers.
Today the market has moved online (although sales still
go in its physical location), due to the intervention of the Management
Association of the market, in a view to develop the market and modernize the
operation of business, the Association introduced the alabaelectronics.com to
help buyers and sellers make transactions within the shortest period of time
and also enable buyers to make purchases even when the physical stores in the
market are closed.
go in its physical location), due to the intervention of the Management
Association of the market, in a view to develop the market and modernize the
operation of business, the Association introduced the alabaelectronics.com to
help buyers and sellers make transactions within the shortest period of time
and also enable buyers to make purchases even when the physical stores in the
market are closed.
Once again, taking a stroll through the Alaba
International Market to purchase any product is quite exhausting and you’d have
to be careful to prevent being scammed or robbed of your money and valuables.
International Market to purchase any product is quite exhausting and you’d have
to be careful to prevent being scammed or robbed of your money and valuables.
4. Oshodi Market, Oshodi – Lagos State
Oshodi market is one of the largest markets in Lagos and
Nigeria. The market just like the Onitsha market is known to host a large range
of products and services making it one of the largest multipurpose markets in
Nigeria.
Nigeria. The market just like the Onitsha market is known to host a large range
of products and services making it one of the largest multipurpose markets in
Nigeria.
Unfortunately, the market was razed in January 2016
under the directive of the Lagos state government who claimed that the market
was promoting several criminal activities. The government, however, asked the
traders to relocate to the new market location which was already built by the
former state governor Babatunde Fashola.
under the directive of the Lagos state government who claimed that the market
was promoting several criminal activities. The government, however, asked the
traders to relocate to the new market location which was already built by the
former state governor Babatunde Fashola.
Ever since traders have bounced back and the market has
regained its former glory as one of the biggest and busiest markets in Lagos
metropolis.
regained its former glory as one of the biggest and busiest markets in Lagos
metropolis.
5. Balogun Market, Lagos Island – Lagos State
Unlike other markets on our list, the Balogun Ajeniya
Market does not have a specific location as it sprawls across many streets on
the Lagos Island. This makes the market one of the biggest markets in Nigeria.
The main market is located in Balogun Street and all the houses along the area
have been converted to shops. The road is not left out as many traders take to
displaying their wares on the road causing a traffic jam of people and
vehicles.
Market does not have a specific location as it sprawls across many streets on
the Lagos Island. This makes the market one of the biggest markets in Nigeria.
The main market is located in Balogun Street and all the houses along the area
have been converted to shops. The road is not left out as many traders take to
displaying their wares on the road causing a traffic jam of people and
vehicles.
Just like the Alaba International Market which is known
for electronics, the Balogun Market is known to be the best market to buy fabrics
wears, and shoes. This is not only because of the large variety of fabrics,
wears and shoes available but also due to the affordability of these products
in the market.
for electronics, the Balogun Market is known to be the best market to buy fabrics
wears, and shoes. This is not only because of the large variety of fabrics,
wears and shoes available but also due to the affordability of these products
in the market.
Just like most other markets, you would need to be good
at bargaining. It is also advisable to take a guide with you when buying
products in the Balogun Market to get a much better service.
at bargaining. It is also advisable to take a guide with you when buying
products in the Balogun Market to get a much better service.
6. Idumota Market – Lagos Island, Lagos State
Looking for a market where you can get the best
collection of Nollywood movies, then Idumota market is the right place to be.
collection of Nollywood movies, then Idumota market is the right place to be.
If you do watch Nollywood movies a lot, then you would
have seen this market address on the front of the Video CD of most home movies,
and this is because this market has the largest collection of Nollywood movies
as most Nollywood distributors from all over Nigeria have their offices and
shops in this market.
have seen this market address on the front of the Video CD of most home movies,
and this is because this market has the largest collection of Nollywood movies
as most Nollywood distributors from all over Nigeria have their offices and
shops in this market.
This market is quite crowded during any time of the day
irrespective of the season so you would need to get to the market as early as 7
am to prevent the human traffic jam you would meet at the ever-busy market.
irrespective of the season so you would need to get to the market as early as 7
am to prevent the human traffic jam you would meet at the ever-busy market.
One secret to buying at a cheaper rate in the Idumota market
is to go deeper into the market. Most buyers stop at the entrance of the market
to buy their goods which are quite cheaper, but you would be surprised that you
could get that same product for half the price if you go deeper into the
market.
is to go deeper into the market. Most buyers stop at the entrance of the market
to buy their goods which are quite cheaper, but you would be surprised that you
could get that same product for half the price if you go deeper into the
market.
The Idumota market is not only known for Home videos,
but also for its variety of shoes, jewelries, fabrics, and electronics.
but also for its variety of shoes, jewelries, fabrics, and electronics.
7. Kurmi Market, Kano – Kano State
Founded by a king, you would expect the Kurmi Market to
look like royalty. Well, we would say it certainly does as it is not only the
oldest market in Nigeria but also the biggest in Kano State which makes it the
King of Markets.
look like royalty. Well, we would say it certainly does as it is not only the
oldest market in Nigeria but also the biggest in Kano State which makes it the
King of Markets.
The Kasuwar Kurmi Market as it is popularly called was
founded by King Muhammad Rumfa in the 15th century as a result of
the growing commercial activities in the city. The market was renowned for it’s
busting textile trade with services like weaving, leather making, and cloth
dyeing.
founded by King Muhammad Rumfa in the 15th century as a result of
the growing commercial activities in the city. The market was renowned for it’s
busting textile trade with services like weaving, leather making, and cloth
dyeing.
Today the Kurmi Market is known for its hand-made
textiles made by mostly traditional traders. If you are looking for somewhere
to buy some good, quality textile material then the Kurmi Market is your best
option.
textiles made by mostly traditional traders. If you are looking for somewhere
to buy some good, quality textile material then the Kurmi Market is your best
option.
8. Nkwo Nnewi Market, Nnewi – Anambra State
Located in the second largest city in Anambra state, the
Nnewi Nkwo Market is often referred to as the Japan of Africa as it is the
largest spare parts market in West Africa.
Nnewi Nkwo Market is often referred to as the Japan of Africa as it is the
largest spare parts market in West Africa.
The market boasts of the most affordable and the largest
collection of spare parts from all over the world. Unlike other markets on our
list, this market is heavily influenced by the Igbo culture as most of the
traders are of the Igbo tribe.
collection of spare parts from all over the world. Unlike other markets on our
list, this market is heavily influenced by the Igbo culture as most of the
traders are of the Igbo tribe.
If you wish to make a purchase in this market, then it
would be advisable to get a tour guide who is conversant in the Igbo language.
You would also need to improve your bargaining skills to prevent paying
outrageous prices for goods.
would be advisable to get a tour guide who is conversant in the Igbo language.
You would also need to improve your bargaining skills to prevent paying
outrageous prices for goods.
9. Ogbete Main Market, Enugu
The Ogbete Main Market is known to be the cheapest and
largest market to get almost any product imaginable among the many other
markets in the coal city of Enugu.
largest market to get almost any product imaginable among the many other
markets in the coal city of Enugu.
The market is open for 6 days a week and is known to be
busy every day. Compared to other markets in our list, products in this market
are relatively cheap, so you wouldn’t have to worry about getting cheated or
getting frightened with outrageous prices.
busy every day. Compared to other markets in our list, products in this market
are relatively cheap, so you wouldn’t have to worry about getting cheated or
getting frightened with outrageous prices.
10. Computer Village, Otigba, Ikeja – Lagos State
The Computer village is the largest ICT accessory market
in Nigeria and Africa. Unlike, other markets in our list, it is located in an
area originally planned for residential buildings and offices.
in Nigeria and Africa. Unlike, other markets in our list, it is located in an
area originally planned for residential buildings and offices.
The market is not only known for its large collection of
ICT accessories, it also deals in the repair of computers and mobile phones
offering opportunities to a large number of computer technicians and engineers.
ICT accessories, it also deals in the repair of computers and mobile phones
offering opportunities to a large number of computer technicians and engineers.
Although this is the best option if you are looking for
rare and very affordable phones, you would want to take caution as this market
is known to be notorious. There have been many reports of loss of valuables,
money and also being duped by some of the market traders who offer counterfeit
products and services.
rare and very affordable phones, you would want to take caution as this market
is known to be notorious. There have been many reports of loss of valuables,
money and also being duped by some of the market traders who offer counterfeit
products and services.
Once again, it is advised you take a tour guide who is
familiar with the market and the system of operation for a more satisfactory
experience.
familiar with the market and the system of operation for a more satisfactory
experience.
That concludes our list of the Top 10 biggest markets in
Nigeria, these markets offer almost every products and service on the planet
and they offer it at the cheapest price available.
Nigeria, these markets offer almost every products and service on the planet
and they offer it at the cheapest price available.
Remember to take precautions when buying at the markets
listed above, as the market might be a breeding ground for social vices who
take advantage of the rowdiness of the market to go about their fraudulent
activities.
listed above, as the market might be a breeding ground for social vices who
take advantage of the rowdiness of the market to go about their fraudulent
activities.