Yayi Empowers Ogun Traders with ₦75,000 grants as Senator Solomon Adeola supports 3,000 market men and women to grow small businesses
Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Ogun State, has empowered 3,000 market men and women in Ogun Central Senatorial District with ₦75,000 business grants each as part of efforts to strengthen small businesses and support grassroots economic development.
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The empowerment programme, held on Wednesday, 29 July 2026, at the Ake Pavilion, Ake Palace, Abeokuta, marked the fifth edition of the YAYI Market Women and Men Support Fund Empowerment Programme and was organised in partnership with the National Productivity Centre under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The initiative provides direct financial support to beneficiaries without repayment obligations, with organisers describing it as an intervention aimed at improving traders’ access to capital and helping small businesses navigate current economic pressures.
Yayi Empowers Ogun Traders through the programme as the senator begins the latest phase of the initiative across Ogun State’s three senatorial districts, starting with Ogun Central.
Addressing beneficiaries at the event, Senator Adeola said market traders remain essential contributors to the state’s economy and require targeted support to sustain and expand their businesses.
“Our market women and men remain the backbone of our local economy, and supporting their businesses is critical to promoting sustainable economic growth,” Adeola said.
He added that the grant was not a loan but a direct intervention designed to increase business capital and improve household livelihoods.
“This grant is not a loan but a direct intervention to help beneficiaries strengthen their businesses, increase their capital and improve their livelihoods. My appeal is that every beneficiary should invest the funds wisely so they can grow their businesses and create greater prosperity for their families,” he said.
The senator encouraged recipients to use the funds responsibly, stressing that improved small business capacity could contribute to wider economic opportunities within communities.
Beyond financial assistance, Adeola highlighted other interventions aimed at improving trading environments, including the construction of modern markets, installation of solar-powered boreholes and provision of solar streetlights.
He said the support programme has expanded gradually since its introduction, with previous editions providing grants to thousands of traders.
According to Adeola, the initiative began in 2023 with 5,000 traders receiving ₦25,000 each, followed by another 5,000 beneficiaries receiving ₦50,000 grants in 2024 and 5,000 traders receiving ₦75,000 each in 2025.
The current phase is designed to extend support to beneficiaries across Ogun Central, Ogun East and Ogun West senatorial districts.
Adeola also disclosed that two modern markets are currently under construction at Isaga-Orile in Abeokuta North Local Government Area and Panseke in Abeokuta South Local Government Area, with the aim of improving commercial infrastructure in Ogun Central.
He further stated that his interventions over the past three and a half years included facilitating the construction of 43 modern markets, alongside solar-powered boreholes and streetlights in major markets across Ogun West.
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The latest empowerment programme comes as political parties intensify preparations ahead of future electoral contests in Ogun State, with candidates increasingly highlighting economic support initiatives and grassroots engagement as part of their public campaigns.
