Sundry Market Boosts Nigerian Economy, Employs 5,000 Workers Over 10 Years

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The Sundry Markets Limited (SML), which operates the well‑known Market Square supermarket chain, announced that over the past decade it has created more than 5,000 meaningful jobs for Nigerians.

Sundry Markets, recently named one of Africa’s fastest‑growing companies, reports that its employment impact spans 16 states across the country.

During a celebration of its 10th anniversary in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the company’s founder and chief executive officer, Mr. Ebele Enunwa, highlighted the firm’s significant contribution to the national economy.

Enunwa, who expressed enthusiasm that the investment that began in Yanagoa, Bayelsa State, has now expanded to 41 branches nationwide, said:

“We started off this business 10 years ago with nothing. Today we have 40 stores across the country and we are now the single largest grocery retail chain in Nigeria. And that’s a testament to the hard work of thousands of people who come to work every day at our locations and who are focused on satisfying the customer and exceeding the customer’s expectations.”

When asked about challenges faced in recent years, Enunwa remarked, “I don’t think anybody ever had it easy, to be honest. I don’t think anybody, any business can say they’ve had it easy. Life is fraught with challenges. And how you tackle those challenges is what makes you stand up and rise or fall down and die.”

Chairman of SML, Charles Odita, also addressed ways the government could strengthen the value chain, calling for reliable power supply, enhanced security, improved infrastructure and a healthier environment.

Odita added, “Today, we have grown, spread across the country, over 16 states, over 41 branches. We can say, we have grown to become the largest modern retail business in Nigeria.”

Executive Director of Sundry Foods Limited, Nnamdi Opara, praised the SML chief executive for his vision and the collective commitment that has driven the company’s success over the years.