Fresh reactions have flooded social media after Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, shared another successful harvest from her vegetable garden at the Presidential Villa, renewing her call for Nigerians to embrace home gardening as a way to promote food security.
The garden, established about two years ago under the #EveryHomeAGarden initiative, is part of the First Lady’s campaign to encourage households across the country to cultivate vegetables and other crops to improve nutrition and reduce food costs.
According to a report by NTA, during a routine visit to the garden, Oluremi Tinubu displayed freshly harvested vegetables, including spinach, waterleaf and fluted pumpkin, describing home gardening as a practical and affordable way for families to live healthier lives.
She also said maintaining home gardens could contribute to food security while supporting efforts to address climate change. The First Lady later shared part of the harvest with members of her staff and encouraged Nigerians to cultivate the habit of giving to others.
However, the latest update has generated mixed reactions online, with many users linking it to the earlier controversy surrounding her advice that Nigerians, particularly women, could engage in small-scale businesses such as frying akara, selling roasted corn and other petty trading ventures.
One X user, @IgbeDaniel17183, joked that after Nigerians finish frying akara in the morning, they would now be expected to head to the farm in the afternoon.
“After una don fry akara finish for morning, then for afternoon una go go farm. Stay tune for the evening section,” the user wrote.
Another user, @tosinonthemove, defended the First Lady, saying she remained focused on her programmes despite criticism.
“This woman is not even bothered by distractors, she is just doing her thing. First time since 1999, we are having a real politician as first lady. The difference is clear. She no send them,” the post read.
Others were more critical. User @ElvynTate argued that encouraging home gardening should not replace broader economic reforms aimed at making food more affordable.
Meanwhile, another X user, @Stephen53777520, criticised the administration while suggesting that similar actions by opposition figures would have received a different public response.
The reactions come just days after President Bola Tinubu jokingly referred to the First Lady as “Iya Alakara” during the Presidential Press Corps Dinner, a nickname widely seen as a light-hearted reference to the public debate over her earlier comments on petty trading.