From Village Livestock Market To West African Trade Powerhouse: The Remarkable Story Of Maigatari

Established in 1929 as a community market in Jigawa State, Maigatari Livestock Market has evolved into a major commercial hub, attracting traders from across Nigeria and several African countries. With millions of livestock and billions of naira changing hands, the century-old market has become a symbol of cross-border trade, regional integration and economic resilience. MUH’D ZANGINA KURA writes.

For more than nine decades, a market that began as a modest gathering place for villagers in northern Jigawa State has steadily grown into one of West Africa’s most remarkable trading destinations. Today, Maigatari Livestock Market attracts traders, buyers and transporters from across Nigeria and several African countries, with hundreds of thousands of animals and other commodities changing hands in a bustling commercial environment.

Located less than a kilometre from the Niger Republic, the market has become a major cross-border trading hub where business routinely transcends national boundaries, currencies and political differences. Here, the Nigerian naira and the CFA franc circulate side by side, while traders from different countries converge around a common interest: commerce.

Yet, beyond the impressive volume of transactions lies a more compelling story of livelihoods, survival and economic opportunity. From young boys and girls earning modest incomes to established livestock dealers transporting animals across Nigeria and beyond, Maigatari sustains thousands of people whose livelihoods are tied to its daily activities.

Its influence also extends beyond livestock. Agricultural commodities such as sesame, popularly known as Ridi, hibiscus (Zobo), millet and beans are traded in substantial quantities, with some destined for international markets.

However, the market’s growth has not been without challenges. Border restrictions, the diplomatic rift between Niger and other Sahel countries on one hand and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on the other, rising transportation costs and inadequate modern infrastructure continue to place pressure on its commercial activities.

LEADERSHIP Sunday reports that the story of Maigatari is therefore not simply that of a thriving livestock market. It is also a story about the possibilities of regional commerce, the resilience of local enterprise and the urgent need for infrastructure and policies that can sustain economic growth across borders.

A Market Born In 1929

Long before Maigatari became the bustling commercial destination it is today, its market had begun laying the foundations of a trading tradition that would endure for generations. What started as a modest community marketplace gradually attracted traders from neighbouring settlements and distant territories, growing in importance as commercial relationships expanded across the region. Its formal establishment in 1929 marked an important chapter in that journey.

Recounting the market’s origins, they Sarkin Kasuwa (market chief) f Maigatari, 70-year-old Alhaji Musa Muhammad, traced the establishment of the market to 1929, when it was first located on the eastern outskirts of Maigatari town before being relocated to its present site in the western part of the town.

According to him, the market’s expansion over the years has been driven by supportive policies and a deeply rooted culture of honesty and transparency among members of the trading community.

He explained that Maigatari had attracted traders since the era of trans-Saharan commerce, adding that the market had endured the passage of time because of the community’s commitment to preserving its commercial heritage.

Muhammad said each unit chairman was responsible for ensuring discipline and accountability among traders operating within his section. He added that only individuals regarded as people of integrity were entrusted with leadership positions.

LEADERSHIP Sunday findings further shows that the market operates under the leadership of the Sarkin Kasuwa, with different units supervised by their respective chairmen. These include the associations of cattle, goat and sheep, camel, donkey and horse sellers, among others.

The traditional structure has helped maintain order in a market where thousands of people converge regularly and transactions involving substantial sums of money take place.

The Sarkin Kasuwa commended successive Jigawa State governments for providing infrastructure to support commercial activities, noting that the current administration under Governor Namadi has also been making efforts to reposition the market to meet its growing needs.

He called for the accelerated implementation of the proposed Kano–Jigawa–Katsina–Maradi Business Corridor, describing it as an important initiative that could stimulate trade, create employment and promote economic growth across the region.

Where Business Knows No Borders

Maigatari’s geographical location remains one of its greatest commercial advantages.

Situated less than a kilometre from the Niger Republic, the market occupies a strategic position along a historic trading route that connects communities and commercial centres across the West African sub-region.

Its importance has also placed it within the proposed Kano–Jigawa–Katsina–Maradi Business Corridor, an initiative being pursued by state governors with support from the commerce ministries of Nigeria and Niger Republic to strengthen trade and economic cooperation.

The market’s transformation is evident in the changing pattern of transportation. In its early years, traders travelled on foot or relied on animals to convey their goods. Today, hundreds of commercial trucks, buses and private vehicles arrive from near and far to transport livestock and agricultural produce to different destinations, although animals remain part of local transportation.

Trade is conducted in both naira and CFA francs, reflecting the market’s international character. Despite the political and administrative boundaries separating the countries represented there, commercial relationships continue to bring people together.

Although commercial banks are relatively scarce within the market, Bureau de Change operators, point-of-sale agents and other currency service providers are readily available to facilitate transactions.

The market also serves as a meeting point for people from different cultural and national backgrounds. According to the Secretary of Maigatari Local Government, Alhaji Sani Adamu, traders and visitors come from Mali, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Algeria, Chad, Cameroon, Benin, the Central African Republic and other parts of the world.

He attributed part of the market’s growing international appeal to the Maigatari Export Free Zone, which attracts traders dealing in agricultural commodities such as sesame, hibiscus and millet for export to Europe and Asia.

The Human Economy Behind The Animals

Perhaps the most remarkable feature of Maigatari is not simply the volume of livestock traded there, but the extensive network of livelihoods sustained by the market.

Behind every animal sold is a chain of economic activities involving breeders, transporters, loading agents, traders, food vendors, water sellers and other service providers.

Hundreds of young boys and girls also depend on the market for their daily income. Some sell sachet water and food, while others push trucks, mark animals that have been sold or fetch water for livestock.

For many of them, the market is more than a place of business. It is a source of survival and an opportunity to support their families.

Fourteen-year-old Sani Usman, who visits the market after school every week, said livestock owners engage him to fetch water for their animals.

He explained that the money he earns helps him support himself and his elderly mother.

His story offers a glimpse into the less visible human economy of Maigatari, where even small services contribute to a commercial ecosystem that supports thousands of people.

For established traders, however, the market represents decades of investment, experience and business relationships.

One of them is Shehu Ibrahim, a cattle dealer from Zaria in Kaduna State, who was found purchasing animals during a visit to the market.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP Sunday,, Ibrahim said he had been coming to Maigatari to buy cattle for the past 30 years.

He explained that he supplies cattle purchased from the market to various destinations in southern and western Nigeria, including Lagos, Rivers and Imo states.

However, he lamented that rising fuel prices and restrictions imposed by Niger on livestock supplies to the Nigerian market had disrupted business and contributed to a sharp increase in cattle prices.

His experience reflects the vulnerability of a trade network that depends heavily on affordable transportation and uninterrupted cross-border movement.

Millions Of Livestock, Billions In Transactions

The scale of commercial activity at Maigatari is reflected in the volume of livestock exchanged weekly.

Speaking on how the traditional market became an economic bridge between nations, and how ordinary people built their livelihoods around it, the deputy secretary of the Cattle Sellers’ agents in the market, Malam Lawan Muhammad

Duwa, disclosed that more than one million livestock are exchanged weekly, with transactions amounting to billions of naira.

He said the ECOWAS crisis involving Niger and other Sahel countries had adversely affected business, explaining that hundreds of people who previously supplied commodities from those countries were now finding it difficult to access the market.

Duwa also recalled the hardship experienced by livestock marketers during the border closure introduced under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari as part of its economic reform measures.

According to him, the policy caused considerable losses, with some traders losing their capital and being forced out of business.

His account highlights the extent to which Maigatari’s fortunes are tied to developments beyond its immediate geographical location. Policies governing border movement, regional diplomacy and transportation can have direct consequences for traders whose businesses depend on the free movement of goods.

Beyond Cattle: Donkeys, Camels, Horses And Small Ruminants

Although cattle dominate much of the market’s commercial identity, Maigatari’s livestock economy is far more diverse.

The donkey section is one of its important trading units, with animals purchased for different purposes, including domestic use and consumption.

Alhaji Saminu Adam, a major donkey dealer who supplies animals to eastern Nigeria, Benin Republic and Ghana, said the market receives supplies from Nigeria, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso and Mauritania.

He explained that the major supply route into Maigatari passes through the Niger Republic.

Adam expressed concern about the diplomatic impasse between ECOWAS and the Sahel countries, urging the regional organisation to pursue a diplomatic resolution with Niger and its neighbours.

He also appealed to Niger’s military leaders to consider the longstanding brotherhood and economic ties among the countries and embrace dialogue in the interest of regional economic growth.

Beside the donkey section is the camel market, where hundreds of people engage in buying and selling animals for supply to destinations within and outside the immediate region.

Another section is dedicated to horses of different sizes, from small to medium and large.

Horses remain valued as traditional riding animals, particularly during Durbar celebrations and other royal festivities. However, some are also purchased for consumption, especially older or injured animals that can no longer withstand long journeys.

The market also has a substantial section for small ruminants, particularly goats and sheep. The sheer number of animals gathered there gives the impression of an enormous harvest, although many are raised by livestock owners who

have embraced animal husbandry as a business.
The diversity of livestock traded at Maigatari underscores its importance as more than a cattle market. It is a comprehensive livestock trading centre serving different commercial, domestic and cultural needs.

Security And The Cross-Border Connection

The market’s international character also makes security an important consideration.

Given its proximity to Niger and the continuous movement of people and commodities across the border, maintaining security requires cooperation among different authorities and communities.

The Secretary of Maigatari Local Government, Alhaji Sani Adamu, said the Jigawa State Government and the local council provide weekly special allowances and other logistical support to strengthen security in the area.

He disclosed that regular meetings are held with traditional leaders, security agencies and relevant stakeholders from the Niger Republic to exchange intelligence and information aimed at maintaining peace and security.

Despite the diplomatic tensions between Nigeria’s regional partners, such engagements illustrate the practical importance of maintaining communication between communities and security institutions on both sides of the border.

For a market whose prosperity depends on the movement of people, livestock and agricultural produce, security is not merely an administrative responsibility. It is fundamental to the survival of commercial activities.

THE INFRASTRUCTURE QUESTION: UNLOCKING MAIGATARI’S NEXT CHAPTER

Having survived nearly a century of economic and political changes, Maigatari Livestock Market now faces the challenge of transforming its traditional commercial strength into a modern, internationally competitive trading centre.

The market has demonstrated remarkable resilience, but its growing importance demands infrastructure capable of supporting its expanding activities.

Despite the billions of naira reportedly exchanged there, the limited presence of commercial banks remains a significant gap in its financial ecosystem. Greater participation by financial institutions could improve access to banking services, facilitate transactions and strengthen financial inclusion for traders and small business owners.

There is also a need for modern trailer parks and designated loading areas to accommodate the growing number of commercial vehicles entering the market. Improved water supply, fire service facilities and other essential services would enhance safety, efficiency and the overall trading environment.

Beyond these immediate requirements, collaboration between the Jigawa State Government and the Federal Government could help develop facilities that support livestock processing and meat exports to other parts of Nigeria and international markets.

Such investments would not only improve the market’s operations but also create opportunities across the livestock value chain, including processing, transportation, storage and distribution.

Security must equally remain a priority, particularly through sustained cooperation between Nigerian and Nigerien authorities and the communities whose livelihoods depend on cross-border commerce.

The proposed Kano–Jigawa–Katsina–Maradi Business Corridor offers an opportunity to address some of these challenges by strengthening transport links, facilitating trade and encouraging investment across the region.

For Maigatari, the corridor could provide the framework for moving beyond its traditional role as a livestock market towards a more integrated regional commercial centre.

A MARKET THAT CONTINUES TO GIVE

A retired civil servant, Malam Ibrahim Rawai, offered another perspective on the market’s history, recalling stories passed down by his grandfather about its establishment.

He told Leadership that spiritual scholars had advised the traditional leaders of Maigatari to relocate the market to its present location because they foresaw greater blessings there.

Rawai also recalled that when the market was established in 1929, the village chiefs invited people from different places to participate in its activities. They maintained hospitable relationships with traders, irrespective of their size or commercial capacity, provided they came to engage in legitimate business.

That spirit of hospitality and openness appears to have become part of the market’s enduring identity.

Nearly a century after its establishment, Maigatari continues to attract people whose lives and businesses are connected to its activities. Some have traded there for decades, while others are only beginning their journey into commerce.

As the Hausa proverb aptly puts it, “Kasuwa Uwar Albarka” — the market is a source of blessings.

At Maigatari, the saying finds practical expression in the thousands of people who arrive every week, each with a different purpose, a different level of investment and an opportunity to earn a living.

The 14-year-old boy fetching water for livestock, the cattle dealer who has returned for 30 years, the donkey merchant supplying neighbouring countries and the young vendors attending to traders all form part of the same remarkable economic story.

From its modest beginnings as a community market in 1929, Maigatari has evolved into a vital commercial artery connecting Nigeria with the wider West African sub-region. Its resilience through changing political circumstances and economic challenges demonstrates the enduring power of trade and the relationships that sustain it.

But the next chapter of its history will depend on more than the determination of its traders. It will require deliberate investment in infrastructure, stronger financial integration, improved security and sustained diplomatic cooperation across borders.

With the proposed Kano–Jigawa–Katsina–Maradi Business Corridor offering a potential pathway, the opportunity exists to build on the market’s historic foundations and unlock its wider economic value.

Maigatari has spent nearly a century bringing people together through trade. With the right investments and policies, it could spend the next century taking that legacy even further.

the traders crossing the Nigeria–Niger commercial divide. Those images, alongside this narrative, could make the feature especially compelling.