Abuja, Nigeria – Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has found herself at the centre of a social media storm after advising Nigerians to venture into small-scale businesses like selling akara (fried bean cakes), roasted corn, and kuli-kuli (peanut cakes) to cope with the country’s harsh economic realities .
Speaking during a public engagement, the First Lady defended the government’s grassroots micro-grant initiatives, suggesting that these businesses require minimal capital and can provide a sustainable source of livelihood . She emphasised that the support provided to beneficiaries was in the form of grants, not loans .
"To start an akara business doesn't take a lot of money. To start roasting corn or kuli-kuli doesn't take much. We didn't give them a loan, we gave it to them as a grant," Mrs Tinubu said. "We're trying to give hope" .
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Public Outrage and Accusations of Insensitivity
The First Lady’s remarks have triggered a wave of backlash, with many Nigerians on social media describing the comment as insensitive and out of touch with the severe inflation currently eroding the purchasing power of millions .
Critics have been quick to contrast her low-budget survival advice with the multi-trillion naira megaprojects being executed by her husband’s administration, most notably the controversial 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway .
Economic analysts have also noted that Mrs Tinubu’s comments overlook the brutal realities of the modern Nigerian marketplace. Due to skyrocketing inflation, the cost of essential ingredients—such as vegetable oil, gas, charcoal, beans, and corn—has tripled, making even these "low-capital" businesses increasingly difficult for ordinary Nigerians to start or sustain .
Some Voices of Support
However, not all reactions have been negative. Some netizens defended the First Lady, arguing that akara and other similar trades are profitable and have helped many Nigerians train their children, build houses, and achieve financial stability. According to these supporters, there is dignity in every legitimate business, no matter how small, and many successful people began from humble beginnings .
Contrast with Previous Controversies
The backlash against Mrs Tinubu’s recent comments adds to a growing list of controversies surrounding the First Lady and her public engagements. She has previously faced criticism from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who slammed her for distributing rice and N1.2 billion in palliatives to northern states, arguing that it weaponized hunger for political purposes .
Atiku had earlier also condemned the administration for projecting an "atmosphere of celebration" while schoolchildren and their teachers remained in captivity after a mass abduction in Oyo State, suggesting that the First Lady was more preoccupied with politics than national tragedies .
A Nation Divided
The comments continue to generate heated debate online as Nigerians remain divided over whether the First Lady’s advice was a practical call to self-reliance or yet another example of a perceived lack of empathy from the country’s ruling elite . As public discontent grows, her remarks are being cited by critics as a prime example of the deepening disconnect between the policies of the Aso Rock Villa and the daily survival struggles on the Nigerian streets .
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