Maria Ochefu, founder of Nigeria’s iconic Mammy Markets, has passed away at 86. She pioneered these markets in military barracks, providing essential goods and social spaces for soldiers. Ochefu, wife of ex-military governor Anthony Ochefu, died in her sleep on March 18. Her legacy remains vital in military communities.
Maria Ochefu, the woman credited with founding Nigeria’s Mammy Markets, has passed away at the age of 86. Her son, Professor Yakubu Ochefu, confirmed that she died peacefully in her sleep on March 18. Ochefu, who had been receiving treatment at Benue State University Teaching Hospital, was just weeks away from her 87th birthday.
The news of her passing was shared by security analyst Deji Adesogna on social media, where tributes poured in for the woman whose idea revolutionized military life. Maria Ochefu, wife of former military governor Colonel Anthony Ochefu, pioneered the concept of Mammy Markets, which became an essential feature in military barracks, providing food, goods, and communal spaces for soldiers and their families. Her legacy remains deeply ingrained in Nigerian military culture, as the markets she established continue to thrive nationwide.
