Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has defended recent remarks on small-scale business empowerment, insisting that the Federal Government’s support programme under the Renewed Hope Agenda goes beyond akara sellers to include a wider range of petty traders across the country.
Oluremi Tinubu made the clarification on Monday during the inauguration of the Abubakar Maje Haruna Hall at the Emir of Hadejia’s Palace in Jigawa State, where she addressed public criticism of her earlier comments on informal trade and women-led micro businesses.
Her earlier reference to akara and roasted corn vendors had sparked debate on social media, with critics questioning whether such informal trades reflected the scale of economic hardship facing Nigerians.
Responding to the backlash, she said the programme was broader and inclusive of multiple market segments.
“It’s not only akara… we also have tomato sellers. We have bole, and those selling pepper, selling vegetables for us in the market,” Oluremi Tinubu said.
She explained that the Federal Government had provided ₦100 million to the Jigawa State Government to support around 2,000 petty traders, with each beneficiary expected to receive ₦50,000 to recapitalise their businesses.
Oluremi Tinubu maintained that the intervention is aimed at strengthening small-scale enterprises and ensuring long-term sustainability for informal traders, adding that the administration would continue to expand economic empowerment initiatives despite criticism.
“We are not intimidated by all those wrong reports. We are forging ahead and making sure that our people are well cared for,” she said.
The First Lady also encouraged young Nigerians to explore opportunities in agriculture, describing the sector as a largely untapped source of wealth creation beyond oil dependence.
She referenced a recent visit to Benue State, where she observed an orange orchard, as an example of agricultural potential waiting to be fully developed.
The intervention forms part of broader federal efforts to stimulate grassroots economic activity through targeted support for micro traders, particularly women operating in informal markets.
While government officials argue that such initiatives provide immediate relief and business continuity for low-income earners, critics continue to question whether the scale of funding is sufficient to address Nigeria’s wider economic challenges.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
