Yayi Boosts Ogun West Economy with ₦300 Million Grant for 4,000 Traders, Expands ‘Oloja Yayi’ Empowerment Initiative
ILARO, OGUN STATE – Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi), has empowered 4,000 market women and men across Ogun West Senatorial District with grants of ₦75,000 each, reaffirming his commitment to strengthening small businesses and driving grassroots economic development.
The fifth edition of the “Oloja Yayi” Market Support Fund Empowerment Programme, held on Friday, July 31, 2026, at the Asade Agunloye Pavilion in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area, saw a total of ₦300 million disbursed to traders as non-refundable business grants.
Speaking at the event, Senator Adeola said the initiative was designed to provide much-needed financial support to micro and small-scale entrepreneurs while cushioning the impact of prevailing economic challenges on market traders across the state.
He explained that the empowerment programme had earlier been held in Abeokuta for Ogun Central and Ijebu Ode for Ogun East before concluding in Ogun West, ensuring equitable coverage of the state’s three senatorial districts.
Tracing the origin of the initiative, Senator Adeola recalled that the programme was conceived during his 2023 senatorial campaign after identifying inadequate business capital as one of the greatest challenges confronting market women and men.
He noted that the intervention complements existing government programmes, including Governor Dapo Abiodun’s “Oko Owo Dapo” initiative and the Federal Government’s TraderMoni scheme, both aimed at boosting small businesses and reducing economic hardship.
The senator disclosed that before his election into the Senate, he personally sponsored two rounds of grants worth ₦25,000 each for 5,000 traders, laying the foundation for what has since evolved into the widely acclaimed “Oloja Yayi” programme.
According to him, the third edition, held on January 28, 2024, benefited another 5,000 traders across the five local government areas of Ogun West with grants of ₦50,000 each, while the fourth edition, held on April 27, 2025, expanded to traders across Ogun State’s three senatorial districts, with 5,000 beneficiaries receiving ₦75,000 each.
Senator Adeola revealed that the fifth edition is being implemented in collaboration with the National Productivity Centre as part of efforts to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for economic growth and enterprise development.
He emphasized that the financial assistance is a grant—not a loan—and urged beneficiaries to invest the funds in their businesses to improve productivity and profitability.
The lawmaker also assured traders who were not captured in the current phase that future editions would accommodate more beneficiaries, expressing optimism that the programme would continue beyond 2027.
Beyond financial empowerment, Senator Adeola highlighted major infrastructural projects facilitated across Ogun West to enhance commercial activities.
He disclosed that over the past three and a half years, he has facilitated the construction of 43 modern markets and trading facilities, including projects at Lusada, Agosasa, Ijoun, Igbo Aje Market in Ilaro, Sayedero Market, Farmers’ Market in Ilobi-Erinja, Obada Market, Ilara Market and TT Dada Market in Ota.
He further listed the installation of 10 solar-powered boreholes in major markets across Ilaro, Owode, Ayetoro, Oja-Odan, Ipokia, Tube, Imeko, Oba Titi Dada and Lusada to improve access to clean water for traders.
To boost security and extend business hours, Senator Adeola said solar-powered streetlights have also been installed in markets across Ogun West, including TT Dada, Lusada, Atan, Owode, Tube, Koko, Sayedero, Oja-Odan, Ijoun, Ayetoro, Imeko, Ilara, Iwoye, Obada, Sabo Owode, Ijoko Ota, Agosasa, Ado-Odo and Igbo Aje Market in Ilaro.
Reiterating his commitment to transparency, the senator stressed that beneficiaries of the empowerment programme are selected without favouritism or political considerations.
“The programmes are for the people without discrimination. I encourage all beneficiaries to make judicious use of the grants to expand their businesses and improve their standard of living,” he said.
Senator Adeola congratulated the beneficiaries and reaffirmed his resolve to sustain the Oloja Yayi Market Support Fund, expressing confidence that the initiative will continue to complement the economic reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the developmental strides of Governor Dapo Abiodun while promoting inclusive economic prosperity across Ogun State.