Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has defended her widely criticised remarks on empowering women through petty trading, insisting that small businesses remain a viable path to economic independence while calling on top entertainers to use their wealth to support vulnerable Nigerians.
Speaking on Saturday at the launch of the National Community Food Bank Programme in Lokoja, Kogi State, Tinubu reaffirmed her commitment to the Renewed Hope Initiative’s grassroots empowerment programme, despite the backlash that followed her comments in June.
The First Lady had earlier suggested that government grants could help women establish small businesses such as frying akara, roasting corn and producing kuli-kuli—a position that attracted criticism from many Nigerians.
Addressing the controversy, Tinubu maintained that petty traders deserve support and urged successful figures in Nigeria’s entertainment industry to complement government efforts through philanthropy.
“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,” she said.
The First Lady said there was nothing wrong with entertainers enjoying the rewards of their success, but stressed that they also had a responsibility to give back to society.
“Good cars are good, a Maybach is good, a Rolls-Royce is good, but still, you can help,” she added.
Tinubu reiterated that her empowerment programme targets small-scale traders, including sellers of pepper, vegetables, okra, melon, akara and kuli-kuli, noting that such businesses provide sustainable livelihoods for many Nigerians.
“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, akara sellers. Akara is delicious, I can tell you that,” she said.
To illustrate her point, the First Lady recounted the story of a university graduate in Abuja who turned to selling akara after failing to secure paid employment.
According to her, the Renewed Hope Initiative quietly provided support 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.
“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,” she said.
Tinubu’s defence comes weeks after her comments sparked widespread debate on social media and in public discourse. During the Presidential Press Corps Dinner in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu jokingly referred to her as “Iya Alakara“ in reference to the controversy.
Despite the criticism, the First Lady has continued with the programme. During a visit to Jigawa State in June, she presented N50,000 grants to 2,000 petty traders, insisting that public criticism would not deter her commitment to supporting grassroots entrepreneurs.
