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| Remi Tinubu |
Remi Tinubu, Nigeria’s first lady, has defended her recent remarks on empowering small-scale businesses like akara and roasted corn, as part of efforts to improve livelihoods under the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Akara is a Nigerian snack made from deep-frying ground beans into balls.
Speaking on Monday, June 29, 2026, during the inauguration of the Abubakar Maje Haruna Hall at the Emir of Hadejia’s Palace in Jigawa state, Remi said beneficiaries of the government’s intervention through her office, also include traders dealing in tomatoes, pepper, vegetables and roasted plantain known locally as bole.
Her remarks come days after she drew criticism on social media for citing akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli businesses as viable sources of income for women amid the country’s economic challenges.
Doubling down on her comments, the first lady said the federal government has provided N100 million to the Jigawa state government to support 2,000 petty traders.
“And I know they’ve been talking that I said akara. It’s not only akara… we also have tomato sellers. We have bole, and those selling pepper, selling vegetables for us in the market, we’ll continue to empower them, add to their resources so that their trade can really be sustainable,” she said.
Tinubu said each beneficiary would receive N50,000 to recapitalise their businesses as part of efforts to make the enterprises sustainable.
She added that the government would not be deterred by criticisms of the programme.
“I know all those people who are affected, they do appreciate it. And we are not intimidated by all those wrong reports. But we are forging ahead and making sure that our people are well cared for,” she said.
The first lady also urged young Nigerians to explore opportunities in agriculture, saying the country has vast untapped potential beyond the oil sector.
She cited an orange orchard she recently saw in Benue state as an example of the opportunities available in agriculture.
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