Trade has long been central to Yoruba society, and market women have been among its most vital agents. In precolonial Yoruba communities, spanning centres such as Ife, Oyo, Ijebu-Ode, Abeokuta, and Ibadan, markets were organised spaces that facilitated not only economic exchange but also social interaction and governance. Women dominated the sale of food, textiles, pottery, and household items, creating a commercial network that sustained both local and regional economies.
Historical studies confirm that Yoruba women enjoyed considerable autonomy in trade. They owned shops, controlled pricing, and negotiated goods independently of male supervision. Markets were managed through hierarchical systems, often led by a Ìyálójà (“Mother of the Market”), who coordinated activities and mediated between traders and royal authorities.
Key Developments and Figures
Market Organisation and Early Trade Systems
Precolonial Yoruba markets were strategically located near royal palaces or shrines, symbolising the link between trade, politics, and religion. Most major towns had a central market (ọjà ọba), operating on a periodic schedule often every four or eight days, depending on local customs.
Each market section was specialised: one area might sell grains, another pottery, and another textiles. Women formed associations that regulated prices, resolved disputes, and maintained cleanliness and order. These associations fostered cooperation and ensured that no single trader could dominate the market.
READ MORE: Ancient & Pre-Colonial Nigeria
Prominent Market Leaders
Several women became renowned for their leadership, wealth, and political influence.
- Madam Efunroye Tinubu (c. 1810–1887) was one of the most notable Yoruba traders. Operating between Lagos and Abeokuta, she built a thriving enterprise in salt, tobacco, and textiles. Tinubu later played a major role in Lagos politics, advising Oba Akintoye and resisting British interference. Her activities highlight the interconnectedness of commerce and political authority among Yoruba women (Falola, 1995).
- Madam Alimotu Pelewura (c. 1900–1951), Ìyálójà of Lagos, led women traders during the colonial period. She mobilised market women against unfair colonial taxation and price control policies, working closely with nationalist leaders. Her leadership within the Lagos Market Women’s Association made her a symbol of resistance and collective action (Denzer, 1994).
These figures demonstrate that Yoruba women traders were not only entrepreneurs but also influential actors in political and civic life.
Economic and Social Organisation
Yoruba women developed intricate systems of trade management and financial cooperation. Through esusu (rotating credit associations), traders pooled funds for capital investment, emergencies, or large-scale purchases. This practice gave women access to financial independence in the absence of formal banking systems.
Markets also had clear administrative hierarchies. The Ìyálójà was supported by assistants such as Ìyá ọmọde (in charge of young traders) and Ìyá ẹja (fish traders’ head). Each section operated with rules designed to maintain fairness and discipline.
Economically, women traders linked rural producers and urban consumers. They purchased farm produce in surrounding villages and resold them in towns, ensuring steady food supply chains. The social prestige of successful traders enhanced their family status, and many became patrons of education, religion, and local welfare.
Cultural and Religious Dimensions
Religion and commerce were deeply intertwined in Yoruba culture. Market spaces were sacred zones dedicated to Ajé, the goddess of wealth, and sometimes to Oya, associated with vitality and change. Traders offered sacrifices to ensure prosperity and prevent misfortune.
The market also served as a communication hub. Through gossip, songs, and gatherings, women traders transmitted social values, shared political information, and shaped public opinion. Oral historians note that the market functioned as a “people’s parliament,” where community issues were discussed informally.
EXPLORE NOW: Biographies & Cultural Icons of Nigeria
Colonial Influence and Resistance
The late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries marked a turning point in Yoruba market history. The British colonial administration disrupted indigenous trade by introducing taxes, monetary levies, and market permits. Large European trading firms, notably the United Africa Company (UAC), monopolised import and export trade, sidelining many female entrepreneurs (Awe, 1992).
Colonial urban planning also altered traditional market layouts. Some markets were relocated or restructured to fit British administrative needs, weakening women’s collective control. Moreover, indirect rule favoured engagement with male chiefs, reducing the authority of female leaders like the Ìyálójà.
However, Yoruba market women mounted significant resistance. The Abeokuta Women’s Revolt (1947–48), led by Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, challenged taxation policies and corruption among colonial officials. Market women participated actively in demonstrations, using their economic leverage to press for reforms.
These protests not only achieved local concessions but also contributed to the broader nationalist movement for independence. Market networks became channels for mobilising public sentiment and financing anti-colonial campaigns.
Legacy and Contemporary Relevance
Today, Yoruba women traders continue to play a pivotal role in Nigeria’s informal economy. Traditional structures such as the Ìyálójà remain active in cities including Lagos, Ibadan, and Abeokuta, where they mediate between traders and local authorities.
Modern Yoruba markets like Oja Oba (Ibadan), Oyingbo (Lagos), and Itoku (Abeokuta), maintain traditional systems of self-regulation alongside contemporary innovations like microfinance and digital transactions. Women still dominate the trade of agricultural produce, clothing, and household goods, ensuring economic continuity.
Culturally, markets remain symbols of Yoruba resilience and social unity. Festivals, songs, and oral traditions celebrating market life continue to reflect the historical power of women in commerce. Despite challenges such as urban redevelopment, market fires, and policy neglect, Yoruba women’s associations remain among the most organised civic groups in Nigeria.
From precolonial Yoruba kingdoms to modern Nigerian cities, women traders have shaped the flow of goods, wealth, and ideas. Their influence extended far beyond commerce, into politics, religion, and social reform. Figures such as Efunroye Tinubu, Alimotu Pelewura, and Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti embody a tradition of female leadership that has endured through centuries of change.
Even under colonial disruption, Yoruba women adapted and resisted, ensuring the survival of indigenous trade structures. Their story represents not only the history of Yoruba markets but also the broader narrative of African women’s resilience and economic agency.
Author’s Note
This article examines the historical and cultural significance of Yoruba women traders, tracing their economic roles from precolonial to colonial Nigeria. It highlights their leadership, resistance, and contributions to the formation of both local and national economies, illustrating how market women have sustained a legacy of entrepreneurship and empowerment that endures today.
References
- Awe, B. (1992). Nigerian Women in Historical Perspective. Lagos: Sankore Publishers.
- Falola, T. (1995). The Political Economy of a Pre-Colonial African State: Ibadan, 1830–1900. Ile-Ife: University of Ife Press.
- Denzer, L. (1994). “The Lagos Market Women’s Association and Colonial Politics.” African Studies Review, 37(2), 33–64.
