Different Types of Mama Put Businesses in Nigeria

In Nigeria and some other West African countries, “mama put” is the slang for small, roadside or open-air food vendors (often run by women) who sell freshly cooked, ready-to-eat local meals, usually at affordable prices. The “mama put” business can take different forms depending on location, target customers, and budget.

Here are types of mama put business:

1. Roadside Food Stall

• Description: Basic setup along busy streets, bus stops, or near markets.

• Common Foods: Rice & stew, beans, yam, garri, fried plantain, moi moi.

• Pros: Low startup cost, high foot traffic.

• Cons: Weather-dependent, limited space.

2. Food Shed or Container Shop

• Description: Uses a wooden kiosk, small shop, or shipping container for a more permanent setup.

• Common Foods: Same as roadside stalls but can include soups and swallows (e.g., eba, semo, pounded yam).

• Pros: Better hygiene, protection from rain and sun.

• Cons: Higher setup cost than a table stall.

3. Canteen Mama Put

• Description: Larger space with seating for customers, often near offices, factories, or bus parks.

• Common Foods: Full Nigerian menu—jollof rice, fried rice, amala, soups, grilled meats.

• Pros: Attracts regular, sit-in customers.

• Cons: Requires more staff and cooking capacity.

4. Specialty Mama Put

• Description: Focuses on a specific dish or regional cuisine.

• Examples:

  • Amala joint (Yoruba foods)

  • Banga soup spot (Delta/Niger-Delta cuisine)

  • Nkwobi & pepper soup joint (Igbo foods)

• Pros: Builds a loyal niche customer base.

• Cons: Limited menu may reduce casual walk-ins.

5. Mobile Mama Put (Wheelbarrow or Food Truck Style)

• Description: Food sold from a wheelbarrow, cooler, or small van; moves to where the crowd is.

• Common Foods: Beans, rice & stew, snacks, dodo (fried plantain)

• Pros: Flexible—can go to events, bus parks, construction sites.

• Cons: Limited cooking space; food must be pre-cooked.

6. Home-Based Mama Put with Delivery

• Description: Cooks at home and delivers to offices, markets, or homes.

• Common Foods: Can cook on order or in bulk.

• Pros: Lower rent cost, can serve specific clientele.

• Cons: Requires reliable delivery system.

7. Event Mama Put

• Description: Provides bulk cooking for parties, burials, weddings, church events.

• Common Foods: Large pots of jollof, fried rice, pepper soup, soups for swallows.

• Pros: High one-time earnings per event.

• Cons: Seasonal demand, requires bigger cooking equipment.

8. Street Hawking (Basin Method)

• Description: Food is carried in a large basin or cooler (on the head or in hand), moving through busy streets, offices, construction sites, or bus parks to sell directly to customers.

• Common Foods: Rice & stew, beans & bread, moi moi, fried yam, akara, snacks, dodo(fried plantain).

• Pros:

  • No fixed stall rent.

  • Direct access to customers who can’t leave their workplace.

  • Very low startup cost.

• Cons:

  • Requires physical strength to carry food.

  • Limited quantity per trip.

  • Food can cool down fast without good insulation.

• Estimated Startup Cost: ₦50,000 – ₦80,000

• Potential Daily Profit: ₦3,000 – ₦12,000

If you want, I can also give you a table of these mama put types, estimated startup costs, and potential daily profit so you can compare easily. That would make business planning much simpler.