Hope Ajayi 
Governor Dapo Abiodun
OGUN, Nigeria – Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has announced plans to introduce a bulk food purchasing scheme and expand the state’s mass transit fleet to ease rising living costs and reduce residents’ spending on essential goods and transportation.
Abiodun disclosed the proposed measures on Thursday, October 22, 2026, during a stakeholders’ meeting with organised labour representatives from the Ijebu axis in Ijebu-Ode.
The planned food scheme will operate through the proposed Gateway Trading Corporation, which the governor said would enable the state to purchase essential food items and household commodities in bulk and make them available at more affordable prices.
He said the initiative followed a proposal by the Ogun State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Hameed Ademola-Benco, as households continue to face pressure from the cost of food and other necessities. According to the governor, bulk purchasing could help the government negotiate better prices and provide relief to residents struggling with rising living expenses.
Abiodun said his administration would increase the number of mass transit buses available to government workers and other residents to address concerns about commuting costs and inadequate public transportation. He also assured labour representatives that the government was considering issues relating to leave allowances and the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
On education, the governor described teachers as central to Ogun State’s development, citing their roles in academic instruction, character formation and preparing young people for leadership. He said his administration had constructed or renovated about 1,600 classrooms over the past seven years and employed hundreds of teachers as part of efforts to improve public education.
Abiodun also highlighted reforms aimed at improving teaching and learning, while commending teachers and students for their performances in academic competitions and assessments. The governor said the meeting provided an opportunity to appreciate organised labour for its support and discuss issues affecting workers and residents.
In their separate remarks, Ademola-Benco; the state Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Akeem Lasisi; and the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Sewakanu Noah, commended the administration’s performance across several sectors.
The labour leaders acknowledged the payment of salaries and allowances, regular promotions, and the settlement of outstanding gratuities and pensions. However, they called for a review of the Contributory Pension Scheme, the establishment of a Ministry of Labour Affairs and increased government subventions to tertiary institutions.
The labour representatives also pledged support for All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the 2027 general elections, expressing confidence in the party’s leadership. The proposed food purchasing scheme and transport expansion could offer relief to residents if implemented effectively. However, the government has yet to provide details on the scheme’s launch date, funding, pricing arrangements or the number of additional buses planned.
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Mirian Gom 
Korede Abdullah