First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has defended her comments encouraging low-income Nigerians to embrace small-scale businesses, such as akara frying, roasted corn selling, kuli-kuli production and other forms of petty trading.
Key Highlight:
- Oluremi Tinubu defended her advice promoting small-scale businesses for low-income Nigerians.
- She clarified the empowerment programme supports various petty traders, not just akara sellers.
- The government disbursed ₦100 million to 2,000 traders, with each beneficiary receiving ₦50,000.
- She dismissed the criticism, saying the government will continue supporting grassroots businesses.
- She encouraged youths to explore opportunities beyond oil and embrace entrepreneurship for economic independence.
The remarks, which were made during an interaction with journalists in Abuja on Thursday, June 25, sparked a heated debate across the country.
While some Nigerians described the advice as insensitive and outdated, others argued that small businesses remain an important part of the nation’s informal economy.
Critics questioned why Nigerians should be encouraged to focus on traditional roadside businesses at a time when many economies are investing heavily in technology, innovation and industrial growth.
However, speaking during an official engagement in Jigawa State on Monday, June 29, Mrs. Tinubu dismissed the criticism, saying the government’s empowerment programmes are designed to support ordinary Nigerians at the grassroots level.
She explained that the initiative is not limited to akara sellers alone but included various petty traders such as tomato sellers, pepper vendors, vegetable sellers, and those involved in local food businesses.
According to her, the government has already provided ₦100 million in grants to support small traders, with about 2,000 beneficiaries receiving ₦50,000 each to improve and sustain their businesses.
“I’ve told Her Excellency that we’ve already given, donated about N100 million to her to use to empower 2,000 petty traders.
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“And I know they’ve been talking that I said akara. It’s not only akara, we also have tomato sellers. We have boole, and those also selling pepper, selling vegetables for us in the market.
“We will continue to empower them and add to their resources so that their trade can really be sustainable,” she said.
The first lady insisted that the backlash would not stop the government from supporting small businesses, adding that beneficiaries of the programme appreciate the assistance.
“I know all those people who are affected; they do appreciate it. And we are not intimidated by all those wrong reports. But we are forging ahead and making sure that our people are well cared for,” she stated.
Mrs. Tinubu also urged Nigerian youths to explore the country’s available opportunities, saying Nigeria has several resources beyond oil that remain largely untapped.
She encouraged young people to look beyond traditional expectations and consider different ways of creating wealth and becoming economically independent.
