By Sofiat Adenekan-Abdul
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has sparked a national debate over economic hardship after urging Nigerians to embrace small-scale businesses such as akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli vending to earn a living.
Her remarks have intensified discussions about rising living costs, unemployment and the adequacy of government interventions aimed at helping vulnerable Nigerians.
Speaking after the second-quarter meeting of the Renewed Hope Initiative with wives of state governors in Abuja, the first lady said the programme provides grants, rather than loans, to support small businesses that require minimal start-up capital.
She said the initiative seeks to restore hope by helping vulnerable Nigerians establish income-generating ventures and improve their livelihoods.
According to her, akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli vending are examples of businesses that require relatively low capital and can provide sustainable income opportunities.
She also highlighted the initiative’s interventions in healthcare, education and agriculture, disclosing that it donated N2 billion to fight tuberculosis, N1 billion for breast cancer interventions and N500 million to address malnutrition.
However, social media users criticised the remarks, arguing that the advice does not reflect the economic pressures facing many Nigerians, including rising inflation, unemployment and declining purchasing power.
Despite the backlash, the first lady urged Nigerians not to lose hope, insisting that the Renewed Hope Agenda aims to improve livelihoods and support vulnerable groups.
