Social Media Reacts as Remi Tinubu Encourages Nigerians to Sell Akara, Kuli-Kuli

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has generated mixed reactions after advising Nigerians to embrace small-scale ventures like akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli businesses.

Tinubu made the statement during a meeting of the Renewed Hope Initiative with wives of state governors at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

According to the First Lady, the initiative has been supporting vulnerable Nigerians with grants to help them establish businesses and improve their standard of living.

“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 kuli kuli doesn’t take much. We didn’t give them a loan; we gave it to them as a grant,” she said.

The video of her comments, shared online by News Channel 247, sparked intense debate across social media platforms.

Tinubu further highlighted the initiative’s support for healthcare, education and social welfare programmes.

“I remember giving for TB. When I heard there were so many TB cases, I gave N2 billion. To breast cancer, I gave a billion. For food malnutrition, I gave half a billion,” she said.

She maintained that the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda was designed to encourage optimism among Nigerians despite current economic pressures.

“We have to renew our hope, and that’s how we renew our hope,” the First Lady added.

Many social media users, however, criticised the remarks, arguing that they failed to address deeper economic concerns facing citizens.

One X user, @ADCVanguard_, accused political leaders of being disconnected from ordinary Nigerians, while another, @ireteeh, compared the initiative’s support with private-sector career development programmes.

Nefertiti (@firstladyship) also reacted strongly, writing: “Nigerians are in big trouble. There is fire on the mountain but the people are tired of running.”

Others defended the First Lady, saying small businesses remain legitimate and profitable sources of income.

User @Akikanju1568901 described akara sales as “one of the most lucrative businesses in Nigeria,” while @PemiOladapo stressed that “there’s dignity in labour.”

Another commentator, @TossynBankz_, argued that Nigerians were not mocking the businesses themselves but expressing frustration over the country’s broader economic realities.

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