Abubakar Mahmud Gumi Market

Abubakar Mahmud Gumi Market, also known as Kaduna Central Market, is the biggest marketplace located in the centre of Kaduna the capital of Kaduna State, Nigeria. It is bordered by Kaduna North to the northeast and Kaduna South to the southwest. The market is one of the largest economic hubs in the northern Nigeria region, and one of the busiest transportation yards, Ahmadu Bello Way, is the major expressway that links to various parts of the market.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo once visited the market to empower traders. He was accompanied by the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai.

History


The original name of the market was Kaduna Central Market, but in 1994 it was renamed after a prominent scholar of Sunni Muslim, the late Sheik Abubakar Gumi. It is the center of commerce in Kaduna State and it is owned by the State government. People of different ethnic groups are present in the market; there are Yoruba, Hausa,Igbo, and other Nigerian ethnic groups who share their trading experience as one entity.

2000 fire
On March 16, 2000, a devastating fire broke out in the Sheik Abubakar Mahmud Gumi Market in Kaduna State, causing significant damage to the traders' shops and resulting in the loss of stalls, money, and goods worth millions of Nigerian naira.

The fire occurred in the middle of the night, leaving hundreds of traders shocked and dismayed when they discovered the extent of the damage the following morning. This incident marked the second time within recent years that such a catastrophic event had taken place in the market, with a previous incident occurring several years before.

The Sheik Abubakar Mahmud Gumi Market has been plagued by unscrupulous elements who have transformed it into a profitable real estate venture. Despite the challenges faced by the market, it continues to hold immense significance in the economic and social lives of the people of Kaduna State. Following the fire in 2000, the government took initiative and rebuilt the market, highlighting its central role in supporting local businesses and providing a platform for economic activities in the region.

2019 fire
On Wednesday, October 20, 2019, a destructive fire razed down several shops at Sheikh Gumi Market, located near Bakin Dogo (railway). This was the third fire at the market. It destroyed over 31 shops, including food worth millions of Naira.

The fire started around 2 o'clock in the morning, a time when most shop owners were at home. The only individuals present at the market were the local guards. While the cause of the fire could not be determined, the shop owners believed it was due to poor electrical wiring.