Oluremi Tinubu Defends Viral 'Akara' Remark, Urges Nigeria's Wealthy and Entertainment Stars to Support the Poor
Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has defended her widely debated remarks encouraging Nigerians to consider small-scale businesses such as selling akara, vegetables, roasted corn, and kuli-kuli, insisting that her comments were aimed at promoting grassroots economic empowerment rather than trivializing the country's economic challenges.
Speaking during an event in Lokoja, Kogi State, Mrs. Tinubu addressed the criticism that followed her earlier statement, which had gone viral across social media and sparked widespread public debate. She maintained that there is dignity in every honest means of livelihood and emphasized that thousands of Nigerians have built sustainable incomes by starting with small businesses.
"There are pepper sellers, vegetable sellers... akara, kuli-kuli. Akara is delicious," the First Lady remarked, reiterating that micro-enterprises remain a practical source of income for many families, particularly when supported through financial assistance and community initiatives.
Mrs. Tinubu explained that the Federal Government's empowerment programmes, particularly through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), are designed to provide grants—not loans—to vulnerable Nigerians, enabling them to establish or expand small businesses without the burden of repayment. She stressed that the objective is to encourage self-reliance while creating opportunities for individuals at the grassroots level to improve their livelihoods.
Beyond defending her comments, the First Lady praised internationally acclaimed music star and philanthropist Akon for his charitable initiatives across Africa, describing his efforts as an example worthy of emulation. She urged successful Nigerians, especially celebrities with substantial wealth and influence, to establish charitable foundations dedicated to supporting the less privileged.
She specifically mentioned award-winning artistes Burna Boy, Davido, Asake and other entertainment personalities, encouraging them to channel part of their success into structured philanthropic programmes that provide education, healthcare, skills acquisition and economic opportunities for vulnerable Nigerians. According to her, the influence and financial capacity of these celebrities could significantly complement government efforts aimed at reducing poverty and improving the welfare of ordinary citizens.
The First Lady argued that while government interventions remain important, meaningful national development also requires active participation from the private sector, wealthy individuals and public figures who have benefited immensely from Nigeria's economy. She noted that philanthropy has played a transformative role in many developed countries and should become a stronger culture among Nigeria's affluent citizens.
Her original "akara business" comments had generated mixed reactions online, with critics arguing that they underestimated the economic hardship currently facing many Nigerians. Others, however, defended her position, saying the remarks highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship and the reality that countless successful businesses began on a small scale with minimal capital. The debate has since evolved into a broader national conversation about poverty alleviation, job creation, entrepreneurship and the responsibilities of both government and wealthy citizens in addressing economic inequality.
Mrs. Tinubu concluded by urging affluent Nigerians to extend support to petty traders and struggling families within their communities, insisting that collective action, compassion and sustained empowerment initiatives remain essential to lifting more Nigerians out of poverty. She reaffirmed that the Renewed Hope Initiative would continue to focus on grants, skills acquisition and community-based interventions targeted at improving the lives of vulnerable citizens across the country.
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