Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has responded to the criticism that followed her recent remarks encouraging Nigerians to consider small-scale businesses such as selling akara, insisting that her empowerment message extends far beyond a single trade.
Speaking after the backlash generated by her earlier comments, the First Lady said her remarks had been misunderstood, stressing that the Renewed Hope Initiative supports a wide range of small businesses aimed at improving livelihoods.
“I know they have been talking,” she said.
“I said Akara, it’s not only Akara. We also have tomato sellers, we have Boli, and those selling pepper, selling vegetables in the market, we’ll continue to empower them.”
Oluremi Tinubu maintained that the empowerment programme is designed to support ordinary Nigerians engaged in various legitimate businesses, particularly women and low-income earners striving to improve their economic conditions.
She expressed confidence that beneficiaries of the initiative understood its purpose and would appreciate the support being provided.
“I know all those who are affected will appreciate it, and we are not intimidated by all those wrong reports,” she added.
The First Lady’s comments come days after she faced widespread criticism on social media for suggesting that businesses such as selling akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli require little capital to start.
Her earlier remarks, made while speaking about the activities of the Renewed Hope Initiative, sparked mixed reactions, with some Nigerians accusing her of downplaying the country’s economic hardship and rising unemployment.
Others, however, defended the initiative, arguing that there is dignity in honest labour and that many small-scale businesses have helped families achieve financial stability over the years.