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The short answer
Erekesan, also called Oja Oba (the king's market), is Ado-Ekiti's central market in the old city centre, where residents buy foodstuff, provisions, fabrics, household goods and more. There is no official published list of its sections, days or prices, so go early, compare stalls, and check your own banking app before releasing goods or leaving with them after a transfer.
Every Yoruba town has a market at its heart, and in Ado-Ekiti that is Erekesan. The name Oja Oba, the king's market, is the usual name for a town's central market in the Yoruba tradition. For visitors, new residents and students, it is the place to buy almost anything in one trip, but it can be crowded and confusing. We could not find an official map, trading schedule or price list for Erekesan, so this guide describes what buyers commonly report and gives a practical way to check prices and pay safely. Confirm details with regular traders.
What you can buy
Like most large central markets in the South-West, Erekesan is commonly described as grouping traders by what they sell. Expect to find:
- Foodstuff: garri, rice, beans, yam, plantain, pepper, tomatoes, onions and palm oil.
- Provisions: noodles, sugar, milk, beverages, seasoning and toiletries, often in cartons for retailers.
- Fabrics and clothing: aso oke, ankara and lace, with tailors nearby.
- Household goods: pots, plastic ware, buckets and small appliances.
- Meat, fish and poultry, both fresh and smoked.
- Herbs and traditional items.
If you are stocking a shop, ask traders who sell in cartons and bags; they usually price lower per unit than retail stalls. For cheaper foodstuff in neighbourhood markets, see Bisi and Shasha markets.
When to go
Traders and regular buyers say mornings are best for fresh produce and less crowded aisles, and that the market is busiest at weekends and in the run-up to festivals, when prices for rice, oil, chicken and tomatoes usually rise. Some Yoruba markets also have special market days on a rotating cycle when more sellers come in from surrounding towns; ask a regular trader whether Erekesan has one and when the next falls.
Checking prices
National averages give you a reference point. The NBS food price data for April 2026, reported by ThisDay, gave these national average retail prices, plus the Ekiti figure for palm oil:
| Item | NBS average, April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | ₦1,177.92 per kg |
| Brown beans | ₦1,338.93 per kg |
| White garri | ₦808.96 per kg |
| Onions | ₦1,164.39 per kg |
| Palm oil, bottle (Ekiti average) | ₦2,819.09 |
Example: if a trader quotes ₦3,000 for 2 kg of brown beans, that is ₦1,500 per kg, about 12% above the April 2026 national average of ₦1,338.93. That may be fair given later price movements, but it is a reason to ask two other stalls. Prices are rarely sold by the kilogram in the market, so weigh a cup or paint bucket once at home to learn what you are buying.
Worked example: budgeting a market trip
Example: a family plans a fortnightly trip. They list what they need, price it at their usual stalls and add transport. Foodstuff ₦25,000, provisions ₦12,000, meat and fish ₦10,000, and a return trip by taxi for two people with bags ₦4,000. Total: ₦51,000 a fortnight, or about ₦102,000 for two trips a month. If they shop at a neighbourhood market for foodstuff instead and save 10% on that line, they save ₦2,500 a trip, but only if the extra travel costs less than that.
If you want to trade there
Stalls and shops in and around central markets are usually let by private owners, family landlords or market associations, and new traders are often expected to join the association for their line of goods. Before you pay for a space, ask who owns it, what the association charges, what council or state levies apply and who collects them, and get receipts for everything. Our guides to the best areas to open a shop and small business levies cover the costs.
Your rights as a buyer
The FCCPC's consumer rights page, summarising the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, says the price displayed should be the price charged, that you may examine goods before buying, and that goods can be returned in good condition within a reasonable time. Market practice varies, so agree any return before paying and keep proof of purchase.
Paying safely
- Carry small notes and keep larger sums out of sight.
- For transfers, check that the account name the trader gives matches the stall or person.
- Keep your bank receipt and the trader's phone number until you have checked the goods at home.
- If you sell, release goods only after the money appears in your own banking app, not on a screenshot or SMS.
- If someone says they sent money to you by mistake, let your bank handle any reversal. See wrong transfers.
Where Pryme fits
Traders with a Pryme Business Account can take payment through bank-transfer checkout free of charge, and issue verifiable receipts through our partner VerifyDoc.ai. Shoppers can set aside a monthly market budget in a Naira Savings Box.
Questions people ask
Where is Oja Oba in Ado-Ekiti?
Oja Oba is another name for Erekesan, the central market in Ado-Ekiti's old city centre. Ask locally for the nearest entrance to the section you need.
What is sold at Erekesan market?
Foodstuff, provisions, fabrics, household goods, meat and fish, and traditional items, grouped by trade.
What is the best time to go to Erekesan market?
Mornings for fresh produce and lighter crowds. Weekends and festive periods are busiest and often dearer.
Can I pay by transfer at Erekesan market?
Many traders accept transfers. Confirm the account name, keep your receipt, and sellers should check their own app before releasing goods.
Sources
- ThisDay: NBS food prices increase in April 2026 (2 Jun 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- FCCPC: Consumer rights and responsibilities · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.