Whatever type of Okrika clothes you’re looking for, from shirts to trousers and skirts to blouses, these markets in Nigeria will have something to cover your needs.
It is no doubt that Nigerians are big on fashion. The average young Nigerian keeps up with fashion trends just fine. He puts on the best of clothes and looks as peng as ever. And he does this spending quite a little. How? You may ask, how? I’ll tell you why—used clothes. Called Okrika clothes in Nigerian pidgin, these are clothes shipped from Europe and sold in strategic markets across Nigeria.
One would think that these clothes are damaged and worn out. But I tell you, they are not. Okrika traders make sure to buy and sell the best of clothes, whose quality has not been compromised. If you are seeking to buy Okrika clothes in Nigeria, check out these 10 places (markets) to buy Okrika clothes in Nigeria:
1. Beach Market, Calabar
Locals call this market ‘Esuk Nsidung.’ It is the biggest beach market in Cross River State, Nigeria. Esuk Nisidung is situated deep in Calabar South, Calabar, on the beach of the Calabar River.
From this market, one can see ship vessels, which bring in cargo.
Second-hand clothes are sold in stalls. And one is allowed to go into any stall he or she wants and choose from a heap of clothes. The clothes are heaped in mounds, and the sellers scream: “Bend down, select.”
Which is to say, “You are free to bend over and select whichever clothes you want.”
The clothes here are not expensive at all. With as little as ₦500, you can get yourself amazing trousers—an additional ₦500 would get you a shirt as well.
You can also buy second-hand shoes and bags at the beach market in Calabar.
Like most local markets in Calabar, the market operates on market days. The main market days in the Calabar Beach market are Thursdays and Sundays.
2. Itam Market, Uyo
Itam market, also called Udua Itam by the locals, is one of the biggest open markets in Uyo city, Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria. The market gets its name from the area it is situated in—Itam, the demarcating town between Uyo and Ikot Ekpene.
One can easily find this market if he manages to find a flyover along Ikot Ekpene Road. The market is just beneath and around the flyover.
Like the beach market in Calabar, the Itam market features stalls and stands where second-hand (Okrika) clothes are heaped. Buyers are drawn by shouts to come and select clothes of their choice.
The clothes sold in this market are ridiculously cheap, even though they look good as new. ₦200 can get you a T-shirt, and ₦50 can get you some panties.
You can also get some shoes here.
The market is operated weekly, and the days of the week are calculated using the Ibibio Calendar, which is a bit different from the normal Calendar. This means market days can fall on any day of the week.
Itam market is usually very crowded. So, bear this in mind as you go out there and get the best akube clothes you can get.
Read: Where to Buy What in Lagos
3. Mile One Market, Port Harcourt
Everyone who has stayed in Port Harcourt for a while knows Mile One Market. Mile One Area is so popular because from here, you can easily access just about any area in Port Harcourt City.
The Mile One Market is one of the biggest markets in Nigeria. You can get just about anything here—food, electronics, and, yes, Okrika clothes.
Okrika’s clothes are sold under the bridge, stretching around the railway.
The used clothes are also sold in stalls, heaped on the ground for buyers to choose from. They are also quite cheap.
As little as ₦500 can get you a good Okrika top and a blouse. The used clothes look as good as new, and all that you need to do most times is wash and press them. Viola! You are set to rock it like a champ.
4. Oshodi Market, Lagos
Oshodi is a popular area in Lagos State. Oshodi Market is known to almost every Lagosian. If anything, then for its size and its rowdiness. It was refurbished by the past Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola. This market is almost always filled up, and understandably so.
Here, you can get new as well as old clothes. The old Okirika clothes are heaped in groups called: “Bales.” Bales can be bought wholesale and can be bought in retail.
The clothes are cheap. ₦5,000 can get you a new set of clothes for your wardrobe.
5. Balogun Market, Lagos
This is the biggest market in Lagos, Nigeria. Here, you can get just about anything you want. But, you have got to be careful. This market is one big labyrinth, and if you don’t know your way around, you could go missing—or worse, you can be looted.
If you are a visitor to Lagos State, I advise you to move around with someone who knows Lagos well enough. The second-hand clothes sold here are cheap and very durable. In fact, most Okrika sellers buy akube from here.
You can also get shoes here and bags. And as a plus, you can get some food for the stress of trekking around this massive market.
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6. Watada Market, Markurdi
Everyone who loves Okrika clothes in Benue state must have somehow heard of the Watada market. It is like the headquarters of Okrika clothes in Benue state and one of the largest markets here.
In the heart of Markudi, the Watada market stands, stretching lengths and lengths. Along Watada Market Road, you can get just about any kind of used or second-hand cloth you want—Tops, blouses, anything.
The clothes are good-looking and durable and, surprisingly, very cheap. With a few thousand Naira, you can get just enough clothes to pimp your wardrobe. You can get shoes too. And very durable bags.
Watada market operates mostly during the weekend, which is a good thing. You don’t have to skip work. Visit Watada market on a Saturday.
7. Kasuwan Barci, Kaduna
Many people who live in Kaduna call this market KB. So, if you’re in Kaduna, you can stop anyone on the street who is willing to talk and ask where KB is, and you’ll be directed.
At Kasuwan Barci market, a pretty big open market in Tudun Wada Local Government Area, you can get about just anything you want. From food to wares and even Okrika clothes. Yes, second-hand clothes.
The Okrika clothes sold here are so cheap that hundreds of Naira can get you just the right number of clothes to pimp your wardrobe, from skirts to blouses to Hijabs. Just about anything.
You can also get wristwatches and goldware.
8. Ariria Market, Aba
Aba is one of the commercial hubs of Nigeria. Almost everything is sold here, many of which are even produced by Aba people—clothes, for example.
Ariaria market is one of the biggest markets in Aba and a hub for Okrika clothes. The clothes are sold in retail and wholesale (Bale) and are beautiful and durable.
Ariaria market is open every day, from Monday to Saturday, except on religious holidays such as Easter, Christmas, and New year’s eve.
The market opens around 8 a.m. and closes by 5 p.m. It is usually crowded, and the best clothes are bought before evening, so it is best you go early. No one is allowed into this market when it is past 5 p.m.
9. Ahia Uhuru, Aba
This market is also located in Aba and translates to ‘New Market.’ It is located at Ngwa Road, Aba, and is the most popular market in Aba for Okrika. Most people who want to get Okrika clothes in Aba go here.
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are called Bale days. On Bale days, the market opens around 8 a.m., when bales, large bags containing Okrika clothes are open.
The bags are opened, the clothes are heaped across the ground, and buyers are allowed to select whichever clothes they want.
The sellers call for customers by shouting, “Bend down, select.”
One has to be quite careful around this market to avoid being looted. Since it is a very large market, there are bound to be pickpockets and looters.
The sellers who sell in the market proper do not stay past 7 p.m., but the ones who sell by the roadside can stay as long as they want because they aren’t obligated to market rules.
Read: Lagos Travel Guide: What to See, Do, and Eat in Lagos
10. Oil Mil, Port Harcourt
Oil Mil market is a popular market in Port Harcourt, where you can buy anything, including foodstuff. Just after Eleme, you can get to Oil mil.
The Okrika part of the market opens on Wednesday when Bales are opened.
The Okrika market area features long lines of stalls, where clothes are heaped across the ground or across any other flat surfaces. Not only Okrika clothes are found here. You can also find second-hand jewelry and second-hand shoes.
The products are durable, cheap, and affordable.
Photo by Waldemar Brandt on Unsplash
