RTIFN DG Ahmed Bala Defends First Lady Over Akara Business Remarks

The Director – General of Relax, Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria , RTIFN, Ahmed Bala has defended the First Lady , Senator Oluremi Tinubu over the recent remarks encouraging Nigerians to  embrace small scale  enterprises such as selling roasted corn, akara and kuli- Kuli describing the criticism against her comments as unnecessary and politically motivated.

Bala, in a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, said the First Lady’s message was rooted in the principles of self-reliance, dignity of labour and economic empowerment, particularly for vulnerable Nigerians seeking sustainable sources of income.

He urged Nigerians to focus on the broader intention behind the remarks rather than reducing them to partisan arguments.

According to him, “The First Lady’s advice was about self-reliance, not poverty. It was a call for people to make productive use of available opportunities and to recognise that there is dignity in honest labour.”

Bala maintained that countless successful entrepreneurs across the country began with small ventures before expanding into larger businesses, stressing that modest beginnings should never be a source of shame.

“Many Nigerians who today own thriving enterprises started from petty trading and other informal businesses. Hard work, perseverance and innovation remain the building blocks of economic advancement,” he said.

The controversy followed comments made by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu while addressing State House correspondents after the second-quarter meeting of the Renewed Hope Initiative with wives of the 36 state governors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.

Explaining the activities of the initiative, Mrs Tinubu stated that beneficiaries received grants rather than loans to support their 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.

Her comments subsequently generated widespread reactions on social media, with critics arguing that the advice failed to reflect the harsh economic realities confronting many Nigerians. Others, however, defended the First Lady, insisting that she was merely promoting entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency.

Weighing in on the debate, Bala said honest labour should never be ridiculed and cautioned against turning developmental messages into political controversies.

“People should not politicise every statement intended to encourage productivity. Selling akara, roasting corn or engaging in any legitimate enterprise is honourable and has sustained many Nigerian families over the years,” he stated.

The RTIFN Director-General further called on young Nigerians to acquire vocational skills and embrace entrepreneurial opportunities, noting that government interventions can only achieve lasting results when complemented by individual initiative and community support.

He added that promoting small and medium-scale enterprises remains critical to reducing unemployment and strengthening grassroots economic activities across the country.

Bala urged citizens to encourage innovation and enterprise among the youth, insisting that resilience and hard work remain essential ingredients for national development.