Rotary Club Of Lagos Grants N6 Million To Market Traders As 13-Year Micro-Credit Scheme Marks New Milestone

0

Two of Lagos’s trading communities have received a fresh vote of confidence from the Rotary Club of Lagos, each walking away with an interest-free loan of N3 million as the club renewed its commitment to a micro-credit scheme that has quietly supported market traders across the city for thirteen years.

The presentation, made to Sangrouse Market Association and Ifako Gbagada Market during the club’s first Club Assembly meeting of the 2026/2027 Rotary year, recognised both associations for their consistent repayment record on interest-free loans extended under the scheme.

The Rotary Club of Lagos Micro-Credit Scheme began thirteen years ago under the leadership of then Assistant Governor Hairat Balogun, with Sangrouse Market as its very first beneficiary. What started as a N5.2 million seed fund has since grown into a N20 million revolving fund, helping traders protect and grow their businesses without the burden of interest charges — one of the club’s longest-running and most consistent economic empowerment programmes.

The cheques were presented by District Governor, Rotarian Layi Abidoye, in the presence of Rotary Club of Lagos President, Rotarian Olutoyin Odulate; District Governor Nominee Designate, Rotarian Ehi Braimah; Assistant Governor, Rotarian Margaret Olowu; and Micro-Credit Chair, Rotarian Eki Eboigbe.

The gesture reflects Rotary International’s global theme for the year, “Create Lasting Impact,” championed by Rotary International President Olayinka Hakeem Babalola — only the second Nigerian, and second African, ever to lead the organisation globally.

At the same Club Assembly, the District Governor also announced a matching-gift incentive to encourage members toward additional Paul Harris Fellow recognitions, underscoring the club’s broader push this year to deepen its contributions to The Rotary Foundation alongside its local empowerment work.
Chartered in 1961 as the second Rotary club established in Nigeria, the Rotary Club of Lagos continues to anchor a range of community investment programmes across the city, including school infrastructure, maternal health support and youth leadership development, alongside its market micro-credit programme.