The Senator representing Ogun Central Senatorial District, Shuaib Salisu on Monday empowered 250 market women in the senatorial district with N100,000 each.
In an interview with newsmen after the disbursement in Abeokuta, Salisu emphasised financial inclusion and long-term business sustainability.
He described the initiative as part of his ongoing constituency empowerment programme, which he said had already benefited students, youths, and traditional institutions in Ogun Central.
” We are doing things that will make there business grow .The informal sector contribute a large percentage of our national economy .
” I am focusing on this informal sector from kuto market to Lafenwa market, from Olomore market to the market in Ifo, so our market women have been gathered across the senatorial district .
” We have provided them with some finance , beyond, funding, we have also come with financial institutions that will talk to them about unburden them and ensure that businesses scale up which will give them financial inclusiveness .
” We are providing holistic approach that will ensure that there businesses scale up and are also part of financial system .
Oko Owo Salisu is about empowering market women , transiting them from informal sector to formal sector and for upscaling there businesses.
“We have deliberately designed this intervention to move our market women from the informal to the formal economy by not only providing capital but also onboarding them into the financial system with the support of partnering financial institutions,” he said.
The lawmaker noted that the programme goes beyond one-time cash support.
” Beneficiaries were also introduced to financial institutions, taught basic business development strategies, and equipped with tools such as POS machines to enhance digital transactions and reduce risks like cash theft.
“We are focused on a holistic empowerment strategy. By transitioning them into formal systems, we unlock opportunities like access to loans, better tracking of business growth, and stronger economic inclusion,” he said.
In addition to the N100,000 capital provided to each beneficiary, Salisu said traders received extra support to cushion immediate expenses and ensure their startup funds remain intact.
“Women are the backbone of the economy. If you empower a woman, you empower a family. My own mother was a trader, so I understand their challenges — lack of capital and poor documentation being the biggest hurdles,” he said.
Salisu revealed that the intervention would be reviewed in six months, with prospects for further support to traders who successfully utilize the funds.
“Women have a reputation for financial discipline. We expect many of them to grow their businesses and qualify for another round of support.”
