By Ogeyi Ebinyi
No fewer than 500 small business owners in Mushin Local Government Area of Lagos State have benefited from a ₦50 million empowerment scheme aimed at supporting micro and informal businesses across the community.
The initiative, tagged the Aruwe Mushin Renewed Hope Empowerment Programme, was presented on Wednesday by the Executive Chairman of Mushin Local Government, Honourable Tunbosun Haruna Aruwe, with each beneficiary receiving financial support to strengthen their livelihoods.
Speaking at the event, Aruwe said the programme was designed to respond to the everyday financial struggles of local traders, particularly women operating small-scale businesses. According to him, many residents often seek modest loans ranging from ₦30,000 to ₦40,000 to sustain their trade, a gap the council decided to address.
“Most of our women want small loans to keep their businesses running,” he said. “We know we can help them because they are Mushin residents. Beneficiaries were selected directly from markets, motor parks, roadside trading points and other informal clusters to ensure the support cuts across all parts of Mushin.”
He urged recipients to use the funds responsibly, noting that proper utilisation would encourage the council to expand the initiative. Aruwe added that plans were already in place to increase future disbursements to ₦100,000 for traders who demonstrate positive business outcomes.
The programme aligns with broader development goals focused on improving urban livelihoods and strengthening community partnerships, particularly through grassroots economic inclusion at the local government level.
Also speaking at the event, Honourable Olayinka Kazeem, who represents Mushin Constituency II at the Lagos State House of Assembly, commended the initiative, describing it as a meaningful step toward recognising and supporting informal workers.
“It is important that people are seen and supported at the grassroots,” Kazeem said. “Even amounts that may seem small can make a real difference in the lives of petty traders if properly used.”
Similarly, Honourable Adedeji Philips, speaking on behalf of the ruling party’s state leadership, described the programme as inclusive and far-reaching, noting that beneficiaries were drawn from diverse community groups, including retired local government workers, youth associations, market women, faith-based organisations, and traditional institutions.
He said many of the recipients are petty traders who genuinely need the support and urged them to invest the funds wisely. “This is not money to be spent carelessly,” Philips said. “The beneficiaries were carefully selected and scrutinised, and we believe the funds will help strengthen their businesses.”
The event brought together representatives from Community Development Associations (CDAs), Community Development Committees (CDCs), religious bodies, youth groups and market unions, highlighting broad community participation in the empowerment drive.
Organisers say the programme is expected to stimulate local economic activity and improve household incomes, while laying the groundwork for future interventions targeting small and informal businesses in Mushin.
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