First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has sparked mixed reactions online following her remarks encouraging Nigerians to explore low-capital ventures such as akara frying, roasted corn sales, and kuli-kuli production as means of livelihood.
She made the comments during a press briefing with State House Correspondents after the second-quarter meeting of the Renewed Hope Initiative with wives of state governors, held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday. A video of her statement surfaced online on Friday via News Channel 247.
In her address, the First Lady highlighted the initiative’s efforts to support vulnerable Nigerians through grants and empowerment programmes, stressing that beneficiaries were given financial assistance without repayment obligations.
According to her, the aim was to provide immediate relief and encourage self-reliance through simple business ideas that require minimal startup capital.
“We’re trying to give hope, and starting an akara business doesn’t take much money. Roasting corn or even kuli-kuli doesn’t require much either. We didn’t give loans; we gave grants,” she said, adding that she has continued to support Nigerians within available resources.
She further noted that the Renewed Hope Initiative has extended interventions into sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, and social welfare. She revealed that she personally contributed funds including ₦2 billion for tuberculosis control, ₦1 billion for breast cancer interventions, and ₦500 million for malnutrition support.
Tinubu also explained that the initiative had facilitated scholarships, ICT training, agricultural support, and other social investment programmes aimed at improving livelihoods across the country.
Reaffirming the government’s agenda, she urged Nigerians to remain hopeful despite prevailing economic difficulties, saying the Renewed Hope Initiative is designed to restore confidence and improve living conditions.
However, her remarks quickly triggered backlash on social media, with many Nigerians accusing her of being out of touch with the realities of economic hardship in the country.
Critics on X (formerly Twitter) described the comments as insensitive, arguing that they downplay the scale of unemployment and rising cost of living.
One user, @ADCVanguard_, said the statement reflects how disconnected the political class has become from ordinary citizens, while another, @ireteeh, compared the initiative with private-sector empowerment efforts that focus on tech and skill development.
Some users also expressed concern that promoting petty trading was not enough given current economic challenges, insisting that Nigerians need sustainable jobs and structural economic reforms.
However, others defended the First Lady, arguing that small-scale businesses like akara and roasted corn sales have historically sustained many families and remain profitable ventures when properly managed.
A user, @Akikanju1568901, described akara business as a viable source of income that has helped many families educate their children and build financial stability.
Another user, @PemiOladapo, emphasized that there is dignity in all forms of labour and encouraged Nigerians to embrace available opportunities and scale up gradually.
Conversely, some commenters clarified that the criticism was not directed at the businesses themselves, but rather at the timing of the message, given the current economic hardship facing citizens.