Remi Tinubu Draws Mixed Reactions Over Remarks on Small-Scale Businesses
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has sparked widespread debate after encouraging Nigerians to consider small-scale businesses such as selling akara, roasted corn, and kuli-kuli as a way to earn a living amid the country’s economic challenges.
Mrs. Tinubu made the remarks while addressing State House correspondents after the second-quarter meeting of the Renewed Hope Initiative with the wives of state governors in Abuja. During her address, she explained that the initiative was created to support vulnerable Nigerians through grants and various empowerment programmes rather than loans.
According to the First Lady, the programme has focused on giving beneficiaries financial assistance that does not require repayment, allowing them to establish small businesses with relatively low start-up costs. She noted that ventures such as frying akara, roasting corn, and producing kuli-kuli require modest capital and can provide a steady source of income for many families.
She stressed that the Renewed Hope Initiative has continued to support Nigerians in several sectors beyond entrepreneurship. The initiative, she said, has funded healthcare interventions, educational programmes, agricultural projects, and social investment schemes aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable citizens across the country.
Highlighting some of the programme’s contributions, Mrs. Tinubu said billions of naira had been committed to healthcare causes, including tuberculosis treatment, breast cancer intervention, and efforts to combat malnutrition. She also pointed to scholarships, ICT training, and agricultural support as part of the initiative’s wider efforts to create opportunities for Nigerians.
The First Lady urged citizens not to lose hope despite the economic difficulties facing the country. She maintained that the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda is designed to improve the welfare of Nigerians and encouraged people to remain optimistic while taking advantage of available opportunities to improve their livelihoods.
However, her comments quickly generated strong reactions across social media platforms. Many Nigerians argued that while small businesses are respectable and have supported countless families over the years, the suggestion failed to address the broader economic concerns facing citizens, including inflation, unemployment, and the rising cost of living.Several social media users described the remarks as disconnected from the realities experienced by ordinary Nigerians. They argued that many people are looking for lasting economic reforms, improved employment opportunities, and policies that will reduce the financial burden on households.Others, however, defended the First Lady’s comments, insisting that there is dignity in every legitimate occupation. Supporters argued that businesses such as akara and roasted corn sales have helped many Nigerians build successful livelihoods, educate their children, and achieve financial stability over the years. They maintained that entrepreneurship remains an important pathway for economic empowerment, especially when supported with grants rather than loans.The differing reactions have continued to fuel conversations online, with many observers saying the debate reflects the growing public concern over Nigeria’s economic situation. While some see the First Lady’s advice as practical encouragement for self-reliance, others believe government officials should focus more on policies that improve the overall economy and create more employment opportunities.The discussion has remained one of the most talked-about issues on Nigerian social media, highlighting the different opinions surrounding economic empowerment and the expectations many citizens have of government officials during challenging economic times.
