First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has come under heavy criticism on social media after suggesting that Nigerians could explore businesses such as selling akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli, with many users describing the remarks as disconnected from the country’s current economic realities.
According to The Punch, Tinubu made the comments after the second-quarter meeting of the Renewed Hope Initiative with wives of state governors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, while highlighting the initiative’s efforts to support vulnerable Nigerians.
Explaining the programme, she said beneficiaries receive grants rather than loans to 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.
Her comments quickly ignited debate on X, where many users argued that the government’s priority should be addressing rising living costs and creating sustainable jobs instead of encouraging petty trading.
Reacting, @ADCVanguard_ said the remarks showed “exactly how disconnected Nigeria’s ruling class has become from the reality of ordinary citizens.”
Another user, @ireteeh, compared the initiative with private-sector efforts, writing, “The First Lady is empowering people with akara, corn, and kuli-kuli, while an ordinary citizen with limited resources is equipping people to build thriving careers in cybersecurity.”
Similarly, @firstladyship posted, “Nigerians are in big trouble. There is fire on the mountain but the people are tired of running.”
Others, however, defended Tinubu, insisting there was dignity in small businesses and that many successful Nigerians started with similar ventures.
One user, @Akikanju1568901, described akara as “one of the most lucrative businesses in Nigeria,” noting that many people had used proceeds from the trade to build houses, buy cars and train their children in school.
Another X user, @PemiOladapo, wrote, “There’s dignity in labour… these are our local snacks! People should start it and scale it!”
Offering a more nuanced view, @TossynBankz_ argued that the backlash had less to do with the businesses themselves than the country’s economic situation.
“Nobody is mocking akara, roasted corn, or kuli-kuli. Those are honest businesses. The problem is that Nigerians are asking for a better economy, more jobs, and lower prices. Telling people to start selling akara in this situation just feels like the government doesn’t understand what people are going through.”
While speaking, the First Lady also highlighted other interventions undertaken through the Renewed Hope Initiative, including donations of N2 billion to combat tuberculosis, N1 billion for breast cancer interventions and N500 million to tackle malnutrition. She added that the initiative has also supported programmes in agriculture, education, ICT and social investment, urging Nigerians to remain hopeful despite the country’s economic challenges.
