No matter how complex, or bulky the product one wishes to purchase is, one will find it in the largest markets in Nigeria. Besides being large in physical size and product volume, most of the largest markets in Nigeria are beautiful and well-maintained. These markets are in many parts of the country and they provide the stage for buyers and sellers to easily connect and transact on a wide variety of products.

While one can simply visit markets closest to them and get what they seek, it is an exciting experience to visit one or even all of the largest markets in Nigeria. While the main purposes of these markets are buying and selling, they are so exciting that one can visit them as tourist attractions. Just walking around the market is exciting as you will get to see different sections of the market and the different products sold there. What even makes these massive markets so exciting is that you never know what to expect. On some days, you may witness a buyer and seller in a heated argument, while on other days, it could be two keke drivers or some okada riders arguing with each other. Whatever you’re lucky to meet, you are guaranteed to be entertained.

Whether you’re a person living in the country or preparing to visit and looking for an exciting thing to do, here are the 10 largest markets in Nigeria you should include in your list of places to visit in Nigeria.

10. Gbagi Market, Ibadan

If you are looking for where to buy African wears for cheap rates and in bulk, the Gbagi market is the place to go. Located in Oyo, the Capital of Ibadan state, this market is made up of high-quality clothing items and on request, you can get your fabric customized for you as well. Usually, this takes a short time to accomplish and you can even walk around the market while the customization work is ongoing.

9. Dawanau International Grain Market, Kano

Dawanau International Grain Market is located in Kano State, Nigeria. The market mainly trades a wide variety of grains and raw cereal products straight from the farm. This market act as a warehouse for the agricultural produce of nearby states like Kebbi, Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Niger.

In this market, you will not find any other product that is not related to cereals like rice,  beans, millet, sorghum, garri, and wheat. These are sold in bags as raw or processed goods. Traders visit this market to buy grains and resell them at other markets in the country or export to other African countries especially Ghana, Togo, Egypt, South Africa, and Cameroon.

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8. Mile 12 International Market, Lagos

If you are in Lagos and you want to buy foodstuff in large quantities as well as other commodities for personal or business use, visit the Mile 12 International market in Lagos. This market, which is popularly referred to as “The Food Basket of Lagos” is located along Ikorodu-Ososun Rd, Ikosi Ketu, Lagos. Like its counterparts, Mile 12 International market is densely populated by traders, customers, and of course, products, and services.

Thousands of people across Nigeria and neighboring countries flood this market daily to meet their consumption needs. One awesome feature of this market is the availability of numerous walkways which help the market users to navigate the market freely despite its dense population.

7. Oil Mill Market, Rivers

The Oil Mill market is located in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, and is one of the largest markets in South-South Nigeria. This market opens once a week (Wednesdays) and sells a large variety of products mostly foodstuff for consumption. Once open, people troop in from within Port Harcourt, the neighboring towns, and neighboring states to buy different foodstuffs mostly at cheap rates.

6. Zaki Biam Biam Yam Market, Benue

Zaki Biam Biam Yam Market is located in Benue State and is one of the largest markets in Nigeria that is renowned for the sale of yam. A large volume of yam supplies in Nigeria is from this market as this is where most farmers in the Northern part of the country send their yam to. Yam merchants from all parts of Nigeria visit Zaki Biam Biam Yam Market to book their spot for yam purchase and then resell the yams at their local markets. If you are looking for where to buy a variety of yams on a large scale, this is the market to visit.

5. Ariaria Market, Abia

If you are looking for a market that is filled with creative minds, you should visit the Ariaria Market in Aba. This market has a lot of young people with innovative and creative minds who produce a variety of goods and services for sale. They go as far as replicating a finished product and having a copy of it. The traders at this market are fondly called ‘Aba Boys’, after the place where the market is located, Aba.

Most of the products sold in this market are locally produced within the market and sold there to complement products from imports. It is a fact that the Ariaria market is accountable for most of the locally produced products in Nigeria. Whereas other markets sell majorly products imported from other countries or products sourced locally, Ariaria market sells what they produce right inside the market and its environs.

Besides designing and manufacturing new products, many traders analyze foreign products and come up with something similar but much more affordable to the average buyer. Numerous products made in Nigeria are manufactured here in this market.

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4. Alaba International Market, Lagos

This one is not just a Nigerian market; as the name implies, it is an international market. A visit to this market will surely leave you speechless as there is nothing you won’t find there from food items to clothing, building, cosmetics, and more. Located at Alaba, in Lagos State, this market receives thousands of people from all over Nigeria and neighboring countries like Ghana and Togo. It is without dispute one of the largest markets in Nigeria.

3. Balogun Market, Lagos

The Lagos Island Market popularly known as Balogun Market stands out as one of the largest markets in Nigeria. Daily, a large population of traders and buyers visit this market to sell or buy.  Due to the wide range of products available at the market, many people who live in Lagos visit the Balogun market for regular shopping. The market plays host to a variety of body products like clothes, hair products, food products, electrical/electronic gadgets, and more.

2. Computer Village, Ikeja

If you wish to buy electronic gadgets in Nigeria like mobile phones, computers, and phone/computer accessories [in bulk], the Computer Village, located at Ikeja in Lagos state is the place for you. It is not a local market as thousands of people flood this market daily from all over Nigeria and neighboring countries to buy their electronic gadgets and utilities. There is probably no mobile phone or computer accessory that you won’t find in this market.

The Computer Village, Ikeja market is a haven of technology in Nigeria and it offers tech-related development and maintenance services. The size, complexity, and popularity of the market have even made people refer to it as the –  silicon valley of Nigeria.

1. Onitsha Main Market

Located in Onitsha, Anambra State, Onitsha Market is perhaps the largest market in Nigeria. It is also referred to as the importation market of the east as there is probably nothing you cannot get in this market. Imported goods get to this market every day and people from all over the country visit the market to buy goods and resell them in their various shops.

This market is a commercial powerhouse in Nigeria and even the entire African continent. If you are searching for one of the largest markets in Nigeria with a large land mass and a massive volume of goods, then this is the best market you should visit. The goods in this market are considered to be cheaper compared to other markets in the country. This is because the majority of imported goods to the country reach the market first before it is distributed to other parts of the country.

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