Embracing Digital Payments: Ogun State’s Small Businesses Step into the Future
November 12th, 2025 | Infocity Business Desk
Across Ogun State, the hustle and bustle of daily trade—from the koko sellers on busy street corners to suya vendors in market squares and okada riders ferrying commuters—is the lifeblood of the local economy. Yet, most of these businesses have traditionally relied on cash transactions, limiting growth, transparency, and safety. Today, a quiet revolution is taking place: digital payments.
From Cash to Cashless
Fintech platforms such as Opay, Moniepoint, and others are making it easier than ever for small-scale entrepreneurs to receive payments, keep accurate records, and manage funds securely. The best part? You don’t need a smartphone. USSD-enabled feature phones can perform transactions with a simple code dial, by simply dialing *5573# on your registered Moniepoint mobile number, you can make transfers, buy data & airtime, etc, making this technology accessible to everyone, even those in rural communities.
Take Abibat, a koko seller in Ijebu-Ode. “I used to carry hundreds of naira in cash every day, worrying about thieves,” she says. “Now, I receive payments directly to my Moniepoint account. I can see exactly how much I made today, and I don’t have to worry about losing money.”
Or consider Abu, a suya vendor in Abeokuta. “Since I started accepting Opay payments, more customers prefer paying me digitally. I no longer have to provide change, and my sales have gone up. Even my regulars, who never used phones for payments before, are learning now.”
Facts That Speak for Themselves
Data shows that small businesses that adopt digital payments often experience up to 30% increase in revenue due to faster, safer transactions and increased customer confidence. A recent survey by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) found that micro-businesses using fintech solutions were more likely to keep consistent sales records, access loans, and grow sustainably compared to cash-only operators.
Why Everyone Must Embrace Digital Payments?
Safety: Less cash means reduced risk of theft.
Convenience: Instant transfers, even for feature phone users via USSD.
Record-Keeping: Track daily sales automatically.
Financial Inclusion: Build a credit profile for loans and grants.
Ogun State’s entrepreneurs are urged to adopt digital payments. Authorities and financial inclusion advocates stress that the future of trade is cashless, even for informal businesses. Vendors should proudly display their Opay or Moniepoint QR codes, or simply share their USSD payment codes, allowing customers to pay safely and conveniently.
As Mrs. Folashade Oladipo, a market leader in Sagamu, puts it: “Digital payments have changed how we do business. It saves time, keeps money safe, and helps us plan better. I tell all my colleagues, even if you only have a basic phone, you can join this revolution today.”
From the streets of Ijebu to the markets of Abeokuta, Ogun State is witnessing a quiet transformation. The message is clear: digital payments are not just for banks and tech-savvy youth—they are for everyone who wants to grow safely and efficiently.
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