Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu has come under fire on social media after encouraging Nigerians to consider small-scale ventures such as selling akara, roasted corn and ƙuli-ƙuli, saying the businesses require little capital to begin.
Tinubu made the remarks while speaking with newsmen following the second-quarter meeting of the ‘Renewed Hope Initiative’ with wives of state governors at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday.
Speaking on the activities of the Initiative, the First Lady said the programme had been providing grants, rather than loans, to vulnerable Nigerians to help them start businesses and improve their livelihoods.
“We’re trying to give hope, and to start Akara business doesn’t take a lot of money. To start roasting corn, or somebody even said small-scale ventures such as selling akara, roasted corn and ƙuli-ƙuli doesn’t take much. We didn’t give them a loan; we gave it to them as a grant. So, we’ve encouraged Nigerians as best as we could. What is within our hands, I have given, and I keep giving”, she stated.
Tinubu also highlighted the initiative’s interventions in healthcare, education, agriculture and social investment, noting that she had personally supported several causes with substantial donations.
She urged Nigerians to remain hopeful despite the prevailing economic difficulties. “The narrative has really changed, to challenge the average man, whereas the average man is supposed to have hope. So, I like the idea that Mr. President say this is the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda. “We have to renew our hope, and that’s how we renew our hope, you know, and that’s what I have to tell Nigerians,” she said.
However, her comments on small-scale businesses triggered swift criticism, with many social media users accusing her of downplaying the severity of the country’s economic challenges.
