They asked for freebies. The Ijebu people said: ‘We’re not your ancestors. Bring money or move aside!’
The Day Ijebu Traders Declared War on Broke Buyers
Imagine a scorching afternoon in Ijebu land. The sun’s blazing like it usually does, and the markets are alive with the sounds of bargaining and the aroma of freshly fried akara. Then, enter a group of traders who’ve seen one too many “I’ll pay you tomorrow” scams.
See, in the 1800s, Ijebu traders were known for one thing: no-nonsense business acumen. Credit? To them, it was a bad joke — like expecting a Lagos driver to use a trafficator. But as neighboring communities tried to finesse their way into freebies, the Ijebu people decided, enough was enough.
“No Money, No Goods” Policy Initiated
Picture a stern Ijebu trader at her stall. Her wrapper is neatly tied, her face straight as a ruler. A customer strolls up confidently:
Customer: “Aunty, abeg, sell me garri. I’ll pay next week.”
Trader: “You want credit? Oya, come back next week, too.”
They weren’t playing. If your wallet wasn’t ready for action, neither were they. “No pay, no goods” became the national anthem of Ijebu markets. And if you thought you could sweet-talk your way out of it, you’d get a stare so cold it could freeze your destiny.
The Rebellion Escalates
Neighboring communities were shook. “Why are Ijebu people like this?” they complained. But the Ijebu traders had facts to back up their fierceness. They knew that:
- Credit leads to bad vibes.
- Bad vibes lead to empty pockets.
- Empty pockets? Well, that’s just a tragedy.
Word spread. If you wanted to do business in Ijebu land, you better have cash-in-hand or the financial confidence of a Dangote heir. Anything else, CLEARRRR !!
Ijebu Traders: The OG Bankers
These traders operated like mini banks, complete with their own rules. No loans. No IOUs. Just vibes and verified payments. You’d think they were running fintech startups with all the efficiency.
Need goods? Pay up.
Need credit? Try your luck elsewhere.
This attitude didn’t just keep their businesses thriving — it turned Ijebu land into the Silicon Valley of Nigerian commerce. They were the blueprint for smart money moves before “financial literacy” was even a thing.
This Reimagined History reminds us of “When the Aba Women Said ‘Enough!’ and Took Down the Colonial Clowns“
The Fallout: Everyone Respected the Hustle
Eventually, people stopped whining and started respecting the Ijebu hustle. After all, why hate on someone for securing their bag? The Ijebu people’s refusal to accept credit wasn’t stinginess — it was strategy. And a pretty brilliant one at that.
Fast forward to today: That “no credit” policy still thrives. From market women to business moguls, the Ijebu spirit lives on. The lesson?
Respect your hustle. Protect your pockets. And if they say “I’ll pay later,” just smile and say, “I’ll sell later.”
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