Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has defended her recent remarks on empowering small-scale businesses such as akara and roasted corn, describing the initiative as part of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at improving livelihoods and reducing poverty.
Speaking on Monday during the inauguration of the Abubakar Maje Haruna Hall at the Emir of Hadejia’s Palace in Jigawa State, the First Lady said the intervention programme extends beyond akara vendors to include traders selling tomatoes, pepper, vegetables, and roasted plantain, popularly known as bole.
Her comments come days after her earlier remarks, in which she highlighted akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli businesses as viable sources of income for women, sparked widespread reactions on social media.
Addressing the criticism, Tinubu reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting grassroots entrepreneurs, revealing that ₦100 million had been provided to the Jigawa State Government to assist 2,000 petty traders.
“I know they’ve been talking that I said akara. It’s not only akara… we also have tomato sellers. We have bole, and those selling pepper, selling vegetables for us in the market. We’ll continue to empower them, add to their resources so that their trade can really be sustainable,” she said.
According to the First Lady, each beneficiary will receive ₦50,000 to recapitalise and expand their businesses, with the goal of ensuring long-term sustainability.
She stressed that the programme would continue despite public criticism.
“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 added.
Tinubu also encouraged young Nigerians to embrace agriculture, noting that the country possesses enormous untapped potential beyond the oil sector. She cited an orange orchard she recently visited in Benue State as an example of the opportunities available in agricultural production and value chains
