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Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has stirred widespread debate after encouraging Nigerians to consider small-scale ventures such as selling akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli as viable businesses that require little startup capital.
The remarks were made on Wednesday while she addressed State House Correspondents following the second-quarter meeting of the Renewed Hope Initiative with wives of state governors at the State House in Abuja. A video of her comments, shared by News Channel 247 on Friday, quickly gained traction on social media.
Speaking about the Renewed Hope Initiative’s efforts to support vulnerable Nigerians, the First Lady explained that beneficiaries receive grants rather than loans to help them establish small businesses.
“We’re trying to give hope, and to start akara business doesn’t take a lot of money. To start roasting corn, or somebody even said kuli-kuli doesn’t take much. We didn’t give them a loan; we gave it to them as a grant,” she said.
She added that the initiative had continued to provide financial assistance to Nigerians within its capacity.
“What is within our hands, I have given, and I keep giving,” she stated.
Beyond small business support, Tinubu highlighted several interventions carried out under the initiative across healthcare, education, agriculture and social investment.
According to her, she personally donated ₦2 billion to support tuberculosis treatment, ₦1 billion for breast cancer interventions and ₦500 million to combat food malnutrition.
“I remember giving for TB. When I heard there were so many TB cases, I gave ₦2 billion. To breast cancer, I gave a billion. For food malnutrition, I gave half a billion,” she said.
She also noted that the initiative had funded scholarships, ICT training programmes and agricultural support schemes aimed at improving livelihoods.
Despite the country’s economic challenges, the First Lady urged Nigerians not to lose hope, saying the Renewed Hope Agenda was designed to restore optimism among citizens.
“The narrative has really changed to challenge the average man, whereas the average man is supposed to have hope. We have to renew our hope, and that’s what I have to tell Nigerians,” she added.
Her comments, however, generated sharp reactions online, with many Nigerians arguing that the advice failed to reflect the severity of the nation’s economic difficulties.
An X user, @ADCVanguard_, described the remarks as evidence of “how disconnected Nigeria’s ruling class has become from the reality of ordinary citizens.”
Another user, @ireteeh, contrasted the initiative with private-sector empowerment efforts, arguing that while some organisations equip young people with digital skills and cybersecurity training, the government was promoting informal businesses.
Similarly, @firstladyship (Nefertiti) lamented the country’s situation, saying Nigerians were becoming increasingly frustrated by the economic hardship.
Others, however, defended the First Lady, insisting that there was dignity and profitability in such businesses.
A user identified as @Akikanju1568901 argued that selling akara remains one of Nigeria’s most profitable small businesses, noting that many traders had used proceeds from the trade to educate their children, build homes and acquire vehicles.
Another supporter, @PemiOladapo, maintained that local snack businesses are respectable ventures that can be expanded into successful enterprises.
Offering a more balanced perspective, @TossynBankz_ said the criticism was not directed at the businesses themselves but at the timing of the message.
According to the user, many Nigerians are demanding policies that address inflation, unemployment and the rising cost of living, making the suggestion to start selling akara appear disconnected from the broader economic concerns facing citizens.
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