Over 4,000 Lagos residents have benefited from financial support worth N1.6 billion between January and now under the Sanwo-Olu Listens and Sanwo-Olu Cares Initiative aimed at easing economic challenges faced by citizens. The latest phase of the initiative saw another 517 people receiving cheques during a presentation ceremony held at Alausa, Ikeja.
Speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, Dr. Tajudeen Afolabi, said the financial aid was designed to help residents meet urgent needs such as boosting businesses, settling medical bills, and paying children’s school fees. He explained that the initiative continues to focus on assisting different categories of vulnerable people across the state.
Afolabi stressed that the process of selecting beneficiaries was free from political, tribal, or religious considerations. According to him, the only requirement was for applicants to clearly state the purpose for their request, live in Lagos, provide their LASSRA and NIN details, and submit their phone numbers.
“This financial aid is not for APC members. We don’t know the beneficiaries before calling them. Our requirement is for them to write an application on the purpose for the money, they should reside in Lagos, provide their LASSRA and NIN cards, as well as their phone numbers. We don’t question anyone if he or she is a member of APC or not, Igbo, Yoruba or Hausa. We don’t discriminate,” Afolabi said.
He noted that Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu remains committed to reducing hardship among residents through consistent support programmes. Describing the initiative as part of government responsibility, he highlighted how financial aid continues to relieve many families and small businesses.
“This is what this office is known for and part of the responsibilities the governor has given to us, which is to put smiles on the faces of the people under the Eko Cares, Sanwo-Olu Listens. For this year, a lot of beneficiaries have received a huge amount of financial intervention orchestrated by the governor and his deputy. Today, we gave out 517 cheques for purposes such as house rent, trading, health challenges and for physically-challenged individuals. This year, we have given cheques to 4,177 beneficiaries and we still have over 1,000 cheques awaiting disbursement for this year,” Afolabi added.
He urged beneficiaries to spend wisely, warning against wasteful use of resources meant to support essential needs. “My advice to the beneficiaries is to make good use of it. It’s not money that will solve all their problems but to assist them in meeting their basic needs. They should not use the money for frivolities but use it for intended purposes,” he said.
Beneficiaries, including petty traders, fashion designers, content creators, and others, expressed gratitude to the Lagos State government. They noted that the support would help sustain their livelihoods. Some stated they would use the funds for school fees, rent payments, hospital bills or to grow their small businesses.
In October 2025, under the EKO Cares Initiative and EKO Listens Financial Assistance Programme, Lagos State disbursed N2.7 billion to more than 10,000 vulnerable households to support healthcare, housing, education and small business development.
