Tinubu’s Wife Reveals How She Supported An Akara Seller

The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has defended her controversial remarks about empowering women through small-scale businesses, insisting that petty traders deserve support from both the government and the private sector.

Naija News reports that Tinubu spoke on Saturday during the launch of the National Community Food Bank Programme in Lokoja, Kogi State.

She had attracted criticism in June after suggesting that women could benefit from grants to establish businesses such as akara frying, corn roasting and kuli-kuli production.

Some Nigerians, including the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Ìgbìnmọ́ Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá, faulted the comments, arguing that they belittled the economic challenges facing women.

The First Lady, however, maintained that the grassroots empowerment programme of the Renewed Hope Initiative was creating opportunities for low-income earners.

Tinubu also called on prominent Nigerian entertainers to establish foundations and use part of their earnings to assist vulnerable citizens.

She cited Senegalese-American singer Akon as an example of a successful entertainer involved in charity work.

Tinubu said, “I want to appeal to our young ones in the entertainment industry. I have mentioned it before, and I will use Akon, a music icon who does a lot of great charity work.

“They make the Burna Boys of this world, the Asakes, all of them, Davido, we want to see you with one foundation or the other, helping the poor with your money.”

The First Lady said there was nothing wrong with entertainers acquiring expensive vehicles, but urged them to balance luxury with philanthropy.

“Good cars are good, a Maybach is good, a Rolls-Royce is good, but still, you can help,” she added.

Tinubu listed pepper, vegetable, okra and melon sellers among those targeted by the empowerment scheme.

She also defended the inclusion of akara and kuli-kuli traders, saying small businesses could grow into significant sources of employment and income.

“The burden on the government is huge. You can still help. There are pepper sellers, there are vegetable sellers, there are okra sellers, melon sellers, and akara sellers. Akara is delicious, I can tell you that,” she said.

She argued that supporting petty traders could improve household incomes and reduce the pressure on government.

The First Lady narrated the story of an unemployed graduate in Abuja who reportedly turned to akara production after failing to secure paid employment.

According to her, the man later received assistance that enabled him to expand his business.

“There was once I read an article about a young graduate who said he didn’t get a job, and he said he sells akara because he couldn’t get a job. He’s in Abuja,” she said.

“We approached him, I didn’t put my name to it, and we equipped him more. He now has 12 workers working under him, and he’s doing very, very well.”

Tinubu said the example showed that small-scale enterprises should not be dismissed, as they could create jobs when properly supported.

The First Lady’s June remarks had remained a subject of public debate, with President Bola Tinubu jokingly referring to her as “Iya Alakara” during the Presidential Press Corps Dinner in Abuja.

Despite the criticism, she has continued to promote the empowerment initiative.

During a visit to Jigawa State in June, the First Lady distributed ₦50,000 grants to 2,000 petty traders and insisted that public criticism would not derail the programme.