First Lady Remi Tinubu faces backlash for akara, roasted corn, and kuli-kuli comments

Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Nigeria's First Lady, has come under fire on the internet for suggesting that Nigerians consider starting small-scale businesses like selling akara, roasted corn, and kuli-kuli. This is after she encouraged people to take advantage of the Renewed Hope Initiative's support for vulnerable Nigerians through grants and other interventions.

The Renewed Hope Initiative is a programme founded by President Bola Tinubu, Senator Tinubu's husband, aimed at supporting Nigerians in various sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, education, and social investment. Senator Tinubu stated that beneficiaries of the initiative were given grants, not loans, to enable them to start businesses.

She highlighted that starting Akara business, roasting corn, or selling kuli-kuli doesn't require a substantial amount of capital, adding that 'we didn't give them a loan; we gave it to them as a grant.' Senator Tinubu emphasized the efforts of the Renewed Hope Initiative in supporting vulnerable Nigerians and urged them not to lose hope despite the economic challenges facing the country.

However, her comments sparked a heated debate on social media, with many Nigerians accusing her of trivializing the economic hardship faced by ordinary citizens. A user on X, @ADCVanguard_, said the video of her remarks 'shows exactly how disconnected Nigeria's ruling class has become from the reality of ordinary citizens.' On the other hand, some social media users defended Senator Tinubu, stating that akara is a lucrative business with a low startup cost and high profit margin.

A user, @Akikanju1568901, said 'akara sellers sent many kids... to universities, built houses, bought cars.' Another user, @TossynBankz_, argued that the criticism is not about the businesses themselves but about timing, adding that 'nobody is mocking akara, roasted corn, or kuli-kuli. Those are honest businesses.'

'What is within our hands, I have given, and I keep giving,' Senator Oluremi Tinubu said in an address to State House Correspondents after the Renewed Hope Initiative's second-quarter meeting with wives of state governors.

The Renewed Hope Initiative has also provided support for interventions in healthcare, agriculture, education, and social investment. Senator Tinubu stated that she donated N2 billion to tackle tuberculosis, N1 billion for breast cancer interventions, and N500 million to address malnutrition.

The initiative has also provided scholarships, ICT training, and support for agriculture and social investment programmes. Senator Tinubu urged Nigerians not to lose hope, stating that 'the narrative has really changed, has changed to challenge the average man, whereas the average man is supposed to have hope.'

In response to the criticism, a user, @PemiOladapo, said, 'There's dignity in labour... these are our local snacks! People should start it and scale it!'