AI agents for business finance: what they can and can't do
What AI agents can do in bookkeeping, close, collections and compliance today, where a person must stay in charge, and how to judge a product.
The short answer
Akure's best-known markets are Oja Oba in the old centre, Shasha, Isinkan and the NEPA market, and traders commonly direct shoppers to Shasha for fresh, perishable produce and to the central markets for a wider mix including fabrics. Prices move with the season and with national food prices, so compare two or three stalls, and confirm every transfer in your own banking app before you leave with goods.
Markets are where most households in Akure buy food and where many small businesses buy stock. Each market has its own mix, its busier days and its own way of doing business. This guide is a practical starting point. We could not find an official directory of Akure's markets and what each sells, so the descriptions below reflect what traders and shoppers commonly report; check on your first visit.
The main markets
| Market | Commonly known for | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Oja Oba | The old central market near the palace: foodstuff, fabrics, household goods, traditional items | Busiest in the morning; go early for fresh items and easier movement |
| Shasha | Fresh and perishable produce: tomatoes, pepper, vegetables, fruits, often in bulk | Good for buying by the basket; check the bottom of baskets |
| Isinkan | Foodstuff and general goods for nearby neighbourhoods | Useful for weekly shopping without going to the centre |
| NEPA market | Mixed goods and food | Compare prices with the central markets for bulk items |
| Shops along main roads | Electronics, phones and accessories, spare parts | Ask for a receipt and a warranty in writing for electronics |
Some markets have bigger days when more traders and farmers come in. Ask a trader you trust which days are best for the items you buy.
What things cost
Market prices follow national trends, which the NBS tracks monthly. For April 2026, as reported by ThisDay, the national average price of 1 kg of tomatoes was ₦1,177.92, brown beans ₦1,338.93, white garri ₦808.96 and onions ₦1,164.39, and a litre of palm oil cost ₦2,396.32. These are national averages, not Akure prices, but they tell you whether a quote is in the normal range.
Worked example: buying in bulk
Example only. A household buys a basket of tomatoes at Shasha for ₦30,000 holding the same quantity it would otherwise buy from a street seller at ₦2,000 a day over 20 days (₦40,000). With no spoilage it saves ₦10,000. If 15% of the basket spoils, it gets 85% of that quantity, worth ₦34,000 at street prices, for ₦30,000: a saving of ₦4,000. Buying in bulk pays only if you can store or share the produce; sharing a basket with a neighbour halves the risk.
Getting a fair price
- Walk the market before you buy and compare two or three stalls.
- Agree the unit first: by the kilo, the paint bucket, the mudu or the basket.
- Build a relationship with one or two traders; regular buyers get better prices and honest warnings about quality.
- Prices rise when demand is high, for example around festivals and during the cocoa season. See how the cocoa season moves prices.
Buying stock for a shop
Small shop owners in Akure often buy stock in the central markets and sell in their own neighbourhoods. A few habits protect your margin. Buy from the same two or three wholesalers so they know you and give fair prices and credit when you need it. Check expiry dates and packaging on every carton, not just the top one. Keep a notebook or phone record of what you paid for each item, so you can see when a price rises and adjust your own. And plan around busy periods: prices of some goods rise before festivals and when farm money is circulating, so buying a little earlier can protect your margin.
Moving goods home
Agree the price with a carrier or keke driver before loading, count items onto the vehicle, and travel with your goods or send someone you trust. Fuel prices set transport fares, so expect them to move.
Paying safely
Most traders now take transfers as well as cash. Two problems are common: transfers that are delayed, and fake alerts from dishonest buyers.
- If you are the buyer and your transfer has not arrived, NIBSS lists *565*5# to track a recent transfer: it covers the last 48 hours, must be dialled from the phone tied to the sending account, and was listed at ₦20 as at November 2025.
- If you are the trader, confirm the money in your own banking app before goods leave the stall. A screenshot is not payment.
- Carry limited cash, keep it in more than one place, and be careful in crowded aisles.
- Ask for the trader's account name before sending, and check it matches the name shown before you confirm.
Traders can read our guide on spotting a fake credit alert, and shoppers our Akure cost of living guide.
What to check first
- Which market sells what you need, and its busiest days.
- The unit of measure before agreeing a price.
- The trader's account name before you transfer.
- That the payment has arrived before goods are handed over.
Where Pryme fits
Paying traders by transfer from the app with Send leaves a receipt for every purchase. Traders with a Pryme Business Account can take payments by bank-transfer checkout free of charge, with each payment matched to the sale.
Questions people ask
Which market in Akure is cheapest for foodstuff?
Traders commonly point to Shasha for fresh produce in bulk and the central markets for staples. Compare two or three stalls and check against national averages from the NBS.
Where is Oja Oba in Akure?
Oja Oba is the old central market near the palace in the city centre, commonly known for foodstuff, fabrics and household goods.
How do I track a transfer that has not reached a trader?
NIBSS lists *565*5# to track a transfer from the last 48 hours, dialled from the phone tied to the sending account. It was listed at ₦20 as at November 2025.
Where can I buy phones and electronics in Akure?
Mostly from shops along the main roads in the city centre. Ask for a receipt and a written warranty.
Sources
- ThisDay: NBS food prices increase in April 2026 (2 Jun 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- NIBSS: USSD validation services (*565#) · 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.