Abiodun plans bulk food buying scheme and more buses for Ogun workers

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has announced plans for a government-backed bulk food purchase scheme aimed at bringing down the cost of essential goods, and a bigger mass transit fleet to ease commuting for workers and residents.

He spoke at a stakeholders' meeting with organised labour leaders from the Ijebu area in Ijebu-Ode, according to reports of the event.

The food scheme will run through a planned Gateway Trading Corporation. Under it, the government would buy staple foods and household items in bulk so residents can get them at more affordable prices.

Abiodun said the idea came from the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Hameed Ademola-Benco, as a response to the rising cost of living. Buying in bulk, the governor explained, lets the government negotiate better prices and could push traders in the open market to review their own prices.

He assured labour leaders the scheme would be made to work, saying government policies must tackle the practical economic problems facing workers.

More buses, pension concerns

On transport, Abiodun promised to add to the number of mass transit buses available to government workers and the public. He said this followed complaints from labour about the need for more buses to cut transport costs and make daily movement easier.

The governor also said concerns raised over leave allowance and the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) were receiving attention.

On education, he described teachers as essential to the state's progress, saying their work goes beyond the classroom into character formation. He said his administration had built or renovated about 1,600 classrooms and employed hundreds of teachers in seven years. He praised Ogun teachers and students for awards and strong results in national and international competitions and assessments.

The labour leaders — including NLC chairman Ademola-Benco, Trade Union Congress (TUC) chairman Comrade Akeem Lasisi and Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) chairman Comrade Sewakanu Noah — thanked the governor for what they called development across sectors. They noted regular payment of salaries and allowances, promotions, and the clearing of outstanding gratuities and pensions.

They still asked for a review of the CPS, the creation of a Ministry of Labour Affairs and more subventions to tertiary institutions. The leaders also pledged support for All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the 2027 general elections, saying they wanted "someone who will serve with dignity, beautiful at heart and beautiful in character."

What happens next

The governor did not give a start date for the food scheme or say how many buses would be added. Residents will be watching for the Gateway Trading Corporation to begin operations and for the new buses to appear on state routes.