Folashade Tinubu-Ojo and Minister Ata during the advocacy visit

By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh

The President-General (Iyaloja General) of Nigerian Market Women,  Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, has advocated for a massive housing scheme for market women across the country.

Folashade, who is the daughter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, appealed to the Federal Government to come to the rescue of market women who face accommodation problems by providing affordable housing for them.

Tinubu-Ojo stated this during an advocacy visit to the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Abdullahi Ata, in Abuja.

A statement issued by the Minister’s aide, Seyi Olorunsola, and made available to our Correspondent, indicated that the Iyaloja General presented a proposal to the Ministry, urging the Federal Government to construct 3,600 housing units for market women nationwide.

According to the statement, her visit aimed at addressing the housing challenges faced by Nigerian market women.

She emphasised the need for structured mortgage schemes that would enable women traders to acquire homes through affordable instalment payments.

In her presentation, the Iyaloja General highlighted the vital role market women play in Nigeria’s economy and the persistent economic and social disadvantages they face, particularly in accessing decent housing.

“As a key pillar of Nigeria’s trade and commerce, market women contribute immensely to national development. However, many of them struggle with housing insecurity, which affects their financial stability and overall well-being.

“This proposal seeks to close the gender gap in homeownership by providing 100 housing units in each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, ensuring that hardworking market women have a place to call their own,”  she stated.

She further stressed that the housing initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to improve the lives of citizens through strategic interventions.

According to her, many market women played significant roles in grassroots mobilisation for the current administration, and their contributions must be recognised through tangible policies that enhance their living standards.

In his remarks,  Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development  Abdullahi Ata commended the Iyaloja General for her unwavering commitment to the welfare of market women. He described the proposal as a laudable initiative that aligns with the government’s vision of inclusive homeownership.

“I sincerely appreciate your advocacy and dedication to the cause of market women in Nigeria. The government remains committed to promoting equitable access to housing, and I will do my best to ensure that your proposal receives the attention it deserves. I will push for its accelerated consideration by the Federal Executive Council to explore the feasibility of incorporating it into the forthcoming supplementary budget,” Ata said.

Seyi’s  Statement further indicated that “the proposed housing units, if approved, will be constructed in phases across all states and the Federal Capital Territory, with a transparent mortgage process to ensure affordability. The initiative is expected to boost economic activity by creating jobs in the construction sector while addressing Nigeria’s housing deficit.

” Market women and other stakeholders have since lauded the Iyaloja General for championing this cause, expressing optimism that the government will take swift action in support of the initiative.