The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has sparked criticism on social media after urging Nigerians to consider small-scale businesses such as selling akara, roasted corn, and ‘kuli-kuli’ as a means of livelihood.
Speaking to State House Correspondents after the second-quarter meeting of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) with wives of state governors at the State House in Abuja, Tinubu said such businesses require little capital to start.
According to Mrs Tinubu in a viral video in circulation on social media, beneficiaries of the initiative receive grants rather than loans to enable them to establish businesses and improve their livelihoods.
“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.
The First Lady also highlighted other interventions carried out under the Renewed Hope Initiative, including support for healthcare, agriculture, education and social investment programmes.
Tinubu disclosed that she donated N2 billion towards tackling tuberculosis, N1 billion for breast cancer interventions and N500 million to address malnutrition across the country.
She further stated that the initiative had provided scholarships, ICT training and agricultural support aimed at empowering vulnerable Nigerians.
Urging citizens not to lose hope despite prevailing economic challenges, Tinubu said the Renewed Hope Agenda was designed to inspire optimism and improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
However, her remarks drew mixed reactions online, with many Nigerians accusing the First Lady of being disconnected from the harsh economic realities facing citizens. Critics argued that while small businesses are important, Nigerians were demanding improved economic conditions, job creation and reduced cost of living.
Others defended the First Lady, insisting that there is dignity in labour and noting that businesses such as akara and roasted corn sales have historically provided sustainable livelihoods for many families across the country.