Oje Market

One of the oldest and perhaps the most famous market in Ibadan, Oje is located less than a kilometre from the Oba’s palace. The market was founded in 1884 during the reign of Oluyole.

©Adolphus Opara
©Adolphus Opara
©Adolphus Opara

The name Oje is derived from a town near Ilorin and it may be that relationship that accounts for the main trade in the market – the selling of Aso Oke cloth. Historically the villages and towns around Ilorin would produced almost all of the Aso Oke, although now this handwoven cloth is made by many Yoruba communities. Oje was the central market for this cloth and traders would travel many kilometres to purchase yards of cloth for sale in their home villages. Even now, amidst the bustle and hustle of traders selling goods from across the world, Oje remains the central market for the best Aso Oke cloth in Nigeria.

©Adolphus Opara
©Adolphus Opara
©Adolphus Opara