By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

No fewer than 3,000 market women and men from Ogun Central Senatorial District had received cash grants of N75,000 each under the Oloja Yayi economic empowerment programme facilitated by Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola.

Speaking at the programme held in Abeokuta, Senator Adeola, who represents Ogun West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, described the initiative as a strategic intervention aimed at strengthening micro and small-scale businesses while cushioning the effects of prevailing economic challenges.

The lawmaker said the programme, now in its fifth edition, was conceived before his election into the Senate in 2023 and has since evolved into a structured economic support scheme for traders across Ogun State.

According to him, the initiative complements the economic reform policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under the Renewed Hope Agenda and is being implemented in partnership with the National Productivity Centre.

He explained that the programme provides grants, not loans to traders to improve their working capital and protect them from exploitative lending practices.

“This initiative started in February 2023, during my senatorial campaign in Ogun West, when 5,000 traders received grants of N25,000 each. At the time, the only notable interventions available were Governor Dapo Abiodun’s Oko Owo Dapo programme and the Federal Government’s TraderMoni scheme. Without such interventions, many traders would have been left at the mercy of loan sharks,” he said.

Adeola recalled that after assuming office in 2023, he institutionalised the programme to ensure its continuity.

“On January 28, 2024, another 5,000 traders across the five local government areas of Ogun West received N50,000 each. During the third edition held on April 27, 2025, the grant was increased to N75,000 for another 5,000 beneficiaries. Following sustained appeals from traders in Ogun East and Ogun Central, we expanded the programme to accommodate beneficiaries from the three senatorial districts.”

He noted that the current edition marked a new phase of the initiative, with implementation now segmented by senatorial district.

“Ogun Central is the first beneficiary under this arrangement. Today, 3,000 market women and men have each received N75,000 directly into their mobile wallets to strengthen their businesses. Similar programmes for Ogun East and Ogun West will follow shortly.”

The senator explained that the empowerment programme had grown significantly from its initial N25,000 grant to N50,000 and now N75,000, reflecting his commitment to expanding economic opportunities for grassroots traders.

Beyond financial support, Adeola highlighted several market infrastructure projects facilitated through his office to improve the business environment.

According to him, 43 modern markets, comprising lock-up and open stalls, have been constructed across Ogun West over the past three and a half years. The projects are located in communities including Lusada, Agosasa, Ijoun, Igbo Aje-Ilaro, Sayedero, Ilobi, Obada, Ilara and T.T. Dada markets.

He also disclosed that 10 solar-powered boreholes had been installed across major markets in Ogun West to address water shortages, while 20 markets had benefited from solar street lighting to improve security and extend trading hours.

Turning to Ogun Central, Adeola said nine market-related projects had been facilitated in the district. These include the construction of ultra-modern markets in Osiele (Odeda Local Government), Obada-Oko (Ewekoro), Panseke (Abeokuta South), Siun (Obafemi-Owode) and Isaga-Orile (Abeokuta North), as well as the installation of 2,000 solar-powered streetlights and motorised and solar-powered boreholes across major markets.

He added that construction work was already ongoing at the ultra-modern markets in Isaga-Orile and Panseke, expressing confidence that both projects would be completed within the next few months.

The senator stressed that beneficiaries of the empowerment programme were selected through a transparent process devoid of political affiliation or favouritism.

“The selection process is open and fair. It is not based on political considerations but on ensuring that genuine traders benefit from this intervention.”

He urged beneficiaries to invest the grants wisely to expand their businesses and improve their livelihoods.

“Use these grants prudently. When properly invested, they will generate higher returns, increase your profits and improve your standard of living.”

Adeola also reaffirmed his commitment to sustaining the initiative beyond 2027, saying his vision was to continue empowering ordinary citizens and supporting economic growth across Ogun State.

He expressed optimism that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, alongside the socio-economic programmes of Governor Dapo Abiodun, would continue to stimulate development and prosperity in the state.

In separate remarks, the Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi, and former Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Mrs Titi Oseni, commended the senator for his sustained investment in economic empowerment and infrastructure development.

They noted that Adeola’s interventions had benefited not only Ogun West but had gradually extended to Ogun Central and Ogun East, describing the initiatives as valuable complements to the development programmes of the Federal Government and the Ogun State Government.