The single sharpest fact in one or two punchy sentences. Who did what, where, when, and why it matters. Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria, has inspired a university exam question with her comments on akara and kulikuli businesses, sparking national debate.

Students of the Prince Abubakar Audu University, Kogi State, wrote an advocacy ad copy with the title, Beyond Akara and Kulikuli Empowerment, as part of their Advertising Copy Writing (MCM 214) paper.

The exam question, set by the Department of Mass Communication, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, had students identify four factors to consider in writing the copy, select three body copy styles and justify a suitable style for the ad.

But beyond the question, the debate over the First Lady's comments has been making headlines since she urged Nigerian women to embrace small-scale businesses, including frying akara, roasting corn and producing kulikuli.

The remarks, however, triggered swift criticism on social media, with many Nigerians accusing her of trivialising economic hardship facing citizens amid rising food prices, inflation and unemployment.

The First Lady later defended her comments, insisting that the Federal Government's empowerment programs extended beyond akara sellers to include traders in tomatoes, pepper, vegetables and roasted plantain.

Dada Olusegun, the Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, also came to her defence, describing the backlash as a 'performative circus of selective amnesia'.

### Key Facts

  • ₦17- ₦25 million: the earning potential for acquiring premium domains for as low as $2500.
  • 2025/2026: the academic year in which the debate found its way into the university exam.
  • ₦100 million: the grant given by the Federal Government to empower 2,000 petty traders in Jigawa State.
  • Second Semester: the semester in which the exam was taken.
  • Advertising Copy Writing (MCM 214): the subject in which the exam was written.

It's worth noting that small-scale businesses have been a major source of income for many Nigerians, providing a vital lifeline to households that are struggling to make ends meet.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu has been a strong advocate for women's empowerment, and her comments on akara and kulikuli businesses are a testament to her commitment to empowering Nigerian women.

The debate over the First Lady's comments highlights the ongoing struggle to find effective solutions to Nigeria's economic challenges.

'The Federal Government's empowerment programmes are not limited to akara sellers,' Dada Olusegun said in a statement, defending the First Lady's comments.

### More on the topic The debate over akara and kulikuli businesses is not just a trivial matter, but a reflection of the complex economic issues facing Nigeria.

The country is struggling to recover from a recession, and the cost of living continues to rise, leaving many Nigerians struggling to make ends meet.

As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the First Lady's comments have sparked a national conversation about the role of small-scale businesses in empowering Nigerian women.

'We need to think beyond the akara and kulikuli debate and focus on how we can empower Nigerian women to become self-sufficient,' Tinubu said in a statement.

### A closer look The exam question was set for students of the Prince Abubakar Audu University, Kogi State, as part of their Advertising Copy Writing (MCM 214) paper.

The paper had a total of 20 questions, with the exam question on akara and kulikuli businesses being one of the most debated topics.

The exam question asked students to identify four factors to consider in writing the copy, select three body copy styles and justify a suitable style for the ad.

The exam question is a reflection of the university's emphasis on critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills.