Presidency Defends Remi Tinubu After Akara, Roasted Corn Backlash

The Presidency has defended First Lady Oluremi Tinubu after criticism of her advice that Nigerians consider small-scale businesses such as akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli.

Punch reported that the First Lady came under criticism on social media after saying the businesses require little capital to start. The remarks were made while she addressed State House correspondents after the Renewed Hope Initiative’s second-quarter meeting with wives of state governors.

Daily Post reported that Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, defended the remark during an interview on the Mic-On podcast.

Dare said his mother sold akara, bananas and oranges in Jos, Plateau State, and used the proceeds to train him. Naija News also reported that he said he hawked the fruits in Jos markets as a child.

He argued that the First Lady’s point was to encourage people to develop some level of entrepreneurial skill rather than remain idle.

According to Daily Post, Dare said small traders in the informal sector remain important to Nigeria’s economy, especially those selling akara, kuli-kuli and similar goods in communities across the country.

The defence has not ended the public argument. Critics said the advice sounded insensitive during a period of high living costs, while supporters said the informal sector remains a major part of household survival in Nigeria.

The backlash also shows how quickly economic comments from public officials are judged against the daily experience of Nigerians dealing with food prices, transport costs and weak purchasing power.

For the Presidency, the defence is an attempt to frame the comment as encouragement for enterprise. For many critics online, the issue is tone.

Sources: Punch; Daily Post; Naija News.