Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has come under heavy criticism on social media after encouraging Nigerians to consider small-scale businesses such as selling akara, roasted corn, and kuli-kuli as a means of earning a living amid the country’s economic hardship.
Speaking after the second-quarter meeting of the Renewed Hope Initiative with wives of state governors in Abuja, Mrs. Tinubu said the programme provides grants, not loans, to empower vulnerable Nigerians. She stated that starting businesses such as frying akara, roasting corn, or producing kuli-kuli requires little capital.
“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.
She also highlighted other interventions under the initiative, including donations of ₦2 billion for tuberculosis, ₦1 billion for breast cancer, and ₦500 million for tackling malnutrition, as well as support for scholarships, ICT training, agriculture, and social investment programmes.
Her comments, however, sparked widespread debate online. Critics argued that the remarks appeared disconnected from the country’s economic realities, saying Nigerians are demanding broader economic reforms, more jobs, and a lower cost of living rather than advice on starting micro-businesses.
Others defended the First Lady, insisting there is dignity in labour and noting that businesses such as akara and roasted corn sales have helped many Nigerians raise families, build homes, and fund education over the years
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