- Outrage After Remi Tinubu Advises Nigerians To Start Akara, Roasted Corn Businesses
- Her remarks sparked mixed reactions across social media platforms.
- Critics demanded broader economic reforms while supporters defended government grants.
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, has come under criticism from many Nigerians following her remarks that small businesses such as akara, roasted corn and kuli kuli require little capital to start.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that speaking with journalists in a video circulating on social media, the First Lady explained that the administration had chosen to support small scale entrepreneurs through grants rather than loans.
“To start 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 them a grant. We have encouraged Nigerians as best as we could. I also gave to several others,” she said.
Her comments, however, sparked mixed reactions online, with many Nigerians arguing that the remarks did not reflect the economic realities facing millions of citizens struggling with inflation, rising living costs and declining purchasing power.
Reacting to the video, X user @whokantakulaya wrote, “We don’t want you to give just help create a society where the bare minimum can be affordable Ma, where Norms are Norms, just the bare minimum and we good.”
Another user, @Susan, described the comments as insensitive.
“This is an insult to Nigerians and these people needs to be put in their places! The country needs to be made ungovernable for them.”
Also reacting, @DedeHydra wrote, “Nigerians from different tribes and religions, this is your fault. You see what a First Lady is telling your mothers, wives and daughters. She and Tinubu is going to increase your suffering seven times if you don’t vote them out.”
Similarly, @YanaOffycial said, “It’s now clear. The husband don corrupt the wife finish. Nothing remain again. If these people are to come back for second term, I swear to God, it will be disastrous.”
Another user, @PoliticalPhoenix, argued that grants alone could not address the country’s economic challenges.
“Remi Tinubu giving small grants for akara and roasted corn while her husband’s policies have destroyed millions of businesses and pushed Nigerians into extreme poverty? This is not hope, it’s crumbs from the table they shattered. Fuel prices, inflation and hardship remain unbearable. Nigerians need real economic recovery, not PR grants.”
In another post, @whokantakulaya added, “Buh wetin dey always funny me na those behind always shaking their head. When fuel increase them say na e be for yankee, so now Ma how many people for Yankee their government Dey empower to start Akara and roasted corn business. Ma e de jor, please be reasonable Ma.”
However, not all reactions were critical. X user @Solomon_Sire defended the government’s intervention, writing, “Nigerians are just greedy people, someone gave out all these billions as grant and you people still couldn’t make the best use of it. Nigerians can’t be helped, this current Government has helped take out more people out of poverty and they deserve our votes for second term.”
Another user, @Un2say1, questioned the practicality of the advice, saying, “Even after the so called useless advice of Akara and boli investment, KAI and CBD officials will still come after them when they start the petty business.”
The First Lady’s comments continue to generate debate online, with supporters defending the government’s empowerment initiatives while critics argue that broader economic reforms are needed to improve the living conditions of Nigerians.
