Senator Yayi Reaffirms Commitment To Traders, Disburses N225m in Ogun East For Market Men, Women
ABEOKUTA – Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, on Thursday said his Market Women and Men Support Fund was designed to complement the economic reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by providing direct financial support to small-scale traders and stimulating grassroots economic growth.
Speaking at the 5th Market Women/Men Support Fund Empowerment Programme held at the Ojude Oba Pavilion, Awujale Palace, Ijebu-Ode, the senator empowered 3,000 market men and women from Ogun East Senatorial District with grants of N75,000 each, insisting that the initiative was a grant and not a loan.
Adeola said the empowerment programme, organised in partnership with the National Productivity Centre, aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and is aimed at strengthening micro and small businesses affected by prevailing economic challenges.
According to him, the initiative is intended to cushion the impact of economic hardship on vulnerable traders while complementing the intervention efforts of President Tinubu and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun.
He noted that sustaining small businesses remains critical to achieving steady and inclusive economic growth.
“My vision here is to further complement the economic reforms of Mr. President to propel our economy on the path of steady and sustainable growth as well as the succor provided by our governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun,” he said.
The lawmaker recalled that the initiative began on February 6, 2023, during his campaign for the Ogun West Senatorial seat when he first intervened by supporting 5,000 market women and men with N25,000 each on two occasions to address cash flow challenges confronting traders.
He said the programme, popularly known as “Oloja Yayi,” was conceived to provide regular support for market operators.
Adeola explained that after his election to the Senate, he expanded the programme, disbursing N50,000 grants to another 5,000 traders in Ogun West in January 2024 before increasing the grant to N75,000 for 5,000 beneficiaries during the fourth edition in April 2025.
He added that following requests from traders across the state, the programme was extended beyond Ogun West to cover all three senatorial districts.
He disclosed that the fifth edition had been decentralised to enable each senatorial district to benefit separately, with Ogun East receiving its allocation on Thursday.
While acknowledging that about 2,000 traders present were not among the current beneficiaries, Adeola assured them they would benefit in subsequent editions, expressing confidence that the initiative would become a government programme after the 2027 governorship election.
Beyond financial grants, the senator highlighted several infrastructure projects facilitated to improve the business environment for traders.
He said he had facilitated the construction of 43 modern markets and related facilities across Ogun State within three and a half years, including ultra-modern markets in Abigi, Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, Mobalufon Trailer Park in Odogbolu Local Government Area, and Ogijo in Sagamu Local Government Area.
He also listed solar-powered boreholes and solar streetlights installed in major markets across Ogun East.
Adeola maintained that beneficiaries of his empowerment programmes were selected without bias or political consideration, stressing that the interventions were open to all qualified residents of Ogun State.
He urged recipients to invest the grants in their businesses rather than diverting the funds to unrelated purposes, saying prudent utilisation would improve their profitability and living standards.
The senator reaffirmed his commitment to sustaining the Market Women and Men Support Fund, expressing optimism that the initiative would continue beyond 2027 as part of a broader agenda to improve the welfare of traders and promote inclusive economic development across Ogun State.
