Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has come under intense public scrutiny after encouraging Nigerians to consider starting small businesses such as selling akara, roasted corn, and kuli-kuli as a way to earn a living amid the country’s economic challenges.
Mrs. Tinubu made the remarks while speaking with State House correspondents following the second-quarter meeting of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) with the wives of state governors in Abuja. She explained that the initiative provides grants—not loans—to help vulnerable Nigerians establish small businesses and improve their livelihoods.
According to her, businesses like selling akara and roasted corn require relatively little capital to start, making them accessible to many people. She said the initiative’s goal is to restore hope by supporting individuals with practical opportunities to become self-reliant.
The First Lady also highlighted other interventions carried out under the Renewed Hope Initiative, including financial support for healthcare, education, agriculture, and social investment programmes. She noted that she had donated funds to tuberculosis treatment, breast cancer interventions, and efforts to combat malnutrition, while the initiative has also provided scholarships and ICT training opportunities.
However, her comments on small-scale businesses quickly ignited widespread reactions on social media. Critics argued that the advice appeared disconnected from the economic realities facing many Nigerians, with some saying citizens are seeking broader solutions such as job creation, lower living costs, and improved economic conditions rather than encouragement to start informal businesses.
Others defended the First Lady, insisting there is dignity in labour and pointing out that businesses such as selling akara and roasted corn have helped many Nigerians build sustainable livelihoods and support their families over the years.
