In a significant move to cushion the economic impact of the festive season, a Lagos State legislator has launched a heavily subsidized food market for his constituents. The initiative, which offered discounts of up to 50 percent on essential items, aimed to bring direct relief to families during the Christmas and New Year period.
Subsidized Staples for Thousands of Residents
Gbolahan Olusegun Yishawu (GOY), the Member representing Eti-Osa Constituency II in the Lagos State House of Assembly, inaugurated the special discount market on Saturday, December 20, 2025. The event, held within the constituency, saw a wide array of food items sold at prices slashed by half or more.
The available products included fundamental staples crucial for Nigerian households:
- Rice and beans
- Gari and yams
- Palm oil and eggs
- Bread, meat, chicken, and fish
- Indomie noodles
To further assist families in meal preparation, buyers also received complimentary pepper mixes. The lawmaker stated that over 10,000 food items were made available for purchase. To ensure broad access and prevent hoarding, each buyer was permitted to select up to five items, with the freedom to mix across different food categories according to their household needs.
A Non-Partisan Gesture for All Constituents
Addressing the gathering, Honourable Yishawu framed the market as a component of his sustained social intervention programmes, designed to alleviate the financial strain on residents. He emphasized that the effort was specifically timed for the festive season when expenses typically soar.
“We run several programmes in our constituency, ranging from education and digital training to entrepreneurship,” Yishawu explained. “Considering the festive season, we decided to reach out to our people by bringing down the prices of staple food items they really need.”
He was keen to stress the inclusive nature of the programme. “Nobody was asked for a party card. We represent everybody in this constituency,” he asserted. Promotion for the event was conducted over several weeks using SMS alerts, billboards, flyers, and social media platforms to ensure widespread awareness.
The only identifier requested was a voter registration card, used solely to confirm residency within Eti-Osa. Yishawu used this requirement to encourage eligible citizens to view voter registration as a vital civic duty.
Praise from Leaders and Plans for Sustainability
The initiative received commendation from local government officials who acknowledged its timeliness. The Chairman of Ikoyi-Obalende LCDA, Bola Oladunjoye, described the programme as impactful, noting that “every saving counts” for families grappling with rising food prices.
Similarly, the Executive Chairman of Iru/Victoria Island LCDA, Mrs. Aminat, applauded Yishawu for his consistent efforts to provide relief, adding that the discount market would allow residents to enjoy more affordable celebrations.
Beneficiaries at the market expressed profound gratitude, with one buyer describing the prices as “amazingly low” and highlighting the difference it would make for less-privileged families. The event attracted large crowds, with people still arriving hours after it began. Yishawu assured everyone that adequate supplies were on hand to meet the demand.
While this is the first edition of the discount food market, the lawmaker revealed plans to make it a regular feature during festive periods. He pointed to the sustainability of his past programmes, such as a free school bus scheme that has operated successfully for over five years, as evidence of his commitment to long-term, impactful interventions for the people of Eti-Osa.
