Remi Tinubu's Support Transformed My Business

Remi Tinubu’s Support Transformed My Business – Akara Vendor
He said the assistance helped him build a modern food kiosk.
The graduate also urged vendors to adopt safer food packaging practices.

A Nigerian akara vendor, Ayobami Ogunmoroti, popularly known as Ayo Alakara, has confirmed receiving financial support from First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, stating that the intervention transformed his business from operating under a tree to owning a fully equipped food kiosk.

Ogunmoroti made the disclosure in a video shared on his TikTok page on Tuesday, days after the First Lady referenced his story while defending her remarks encouraging Nigerians to embrace small-scale businesses.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the video also comes after President Bola Tinubu jokingly referred to the First Lady as “Iya Alakara” during the Presidential Press Corps Dinner at the State House, Abuja, following public reactions to her comments on petty trading.

Expressing gratitude, Ogunmoroti said the financial assistance came at a critical point in his entrepreneurial journey.

“I saw a trending video of our First Lady, Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu, where she said she empowered one university graduate who sells akara in Abuja.

“Yes, I received the money. The money came at the right time for me. In fact, I was frying akara under this tree before. But when I received the money, I was able to build this very befitting food kiosk for myself where I now sell akara today,” he said.

He added, “Thank you very much, ma. I cannot appreciate you enough. The money came at the right time for me.

“May God Almighty continue to support you, support your husband, and support your administration.”

The First Lady had earlier revealed that her office quietly supported the graduate after learning about his business. According to her, the intervention enabled him to expand his operations and employ 12 workers.

“There was once I read an article about a young graduate who said he didn’t get a job. He said he sells akara because he couldn’t get a job, and he’s in Abuja.

“We approached him, but I didn’t put my name to it. We equipped him more. He now has 12 workers working under him, and he’s doing very, very well,” she said.

Beyond acknowledging the support, Ogunmoroti encouraged fellow akara vendors to adopt safer food packaging practices, warning against the use of nylon for serving hot akara because of potential health risks.

“I want to use this opportunity to admonish my co-akara sellers in Nigeria to stop the act of using nylon to sell hot akara. It can endanger the health of our esteemed customers.

“Akara is one of the most delicious African traditional delicacies. Akara is not poor. Akara is rich in nutrition. Akara can be packaged. Akara can be branded,” he said.

Ogunmoroti, a Political Science Education graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, ventured into the akara business during his National Youth Service Corps after the COVID-19 pandemic affected his income.

He later relocated to Abuja, where he rebranded his business as Akara Ayo, introducing branded packaging and delivery services while using his educational background to challenge stereotypes associated with roadside food vending.