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The Remi Tinubu akara business advice has stirred a national conversation. The First Lady urged economically disadvantaged Nigerians to consider small trades such as selling akara, roasted corn and kulikuli, saying they need little capital to start.
The Gist
- Remi Tinubu urges Nigerians to start small trades
- Suggests akara, roasted corn, kulikuli ventures
- Advice sparks national cost-of-living debate
Her comments drew a wide mix of reactions, from sharp criticism to measured support.
What the First Lady said
Senator Oluremi Tinubu spoke to State House Correspondents after a meeting of the Renewed Hope Initiative with wives of state governors. The session held at the State House in Abuja.
She explained that beneficiaries receive grants, not loans, to help them launch small businesses. The aim, she said, is to give vulnerable citizens a low-cost path to earning an income.
The wider Renewed Hope programme
The First Lady tied the advice to the broader work of the Renewed Hope Initiative. She listed donations toward health and social causes as part of the scheme’s record.
According to her, the initiative has channelled funds into tuberculosis treatment, breast cancer support and the fight against malnutrition. She added that it has also backed scholarships, ICT training and agriculture programmes.
Why the remark drew backlash
Many Nigerians pushed back online, arguing the advice played down the scale of current economic hardship. Critics said the bigger need is job creation, lower inflation and a stronger economy.
Some public commentators voiced similar views, questioning whether petty trade alone can lift households out of poverty. The debate quickly spread across social media.
The other side of the argument
Not everyone disagreed with the First Lady. Some defenders noted that small food businesses have long supported families and even funded education for many Nigerians.
They argued that honest petty trade remains a respectable and realistic starting point, especially when paired with grants rather than debt. For them, the message was practical, not dismissive.
Why it matters
The exchange reflects a deeper national tension over how to tackle poverty amid a high cost of living. It also shows how closely Nigerians scrutinise statements from public figures on the economy.
Whatever side observers take, the conversation has put the spotlight back on the daily struggle of low-income households. It has also renewed questions about how far targeted grants can go in easing that pressure.
For now, the Renewed Hope Initiative says its grants will continue, with the stated goal of helping more vulnerable Nigerians find a footing.
The economic backdrop
The remarks landed at a time when many households are feeling the squeeze of higher prices. Food and transport costs have risen sharply over the past year.
Against that backdrop, any advice on coping with hardship draws intense scrutiny. Citizens are quick to weigh whether such suggestions match the reality they face daily.
Grants versus structural reform
Supporters of the initiative argue that direct grants give people a practical, immediate start. They say small businesses can grow into stable sources of income over time.
Critics counter that grants alone cannot fix deeper problems like inflation and unemployment. They call for broader reforms that create jobs and steady the economy.
The debate, in many ways, mirrors a long-running national question about the right balance between social support and structural change. It is unlikely to fade soon.
Source: Oluremi Tinubu
