ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, has defended First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu over the criticism that greeted her suggestion that Nigerians could venture into low-capital businesses, revealing that he was raised through proceeds from his mother’s akara, banana and orange business.
Speaking on the Mic On Podcast on Saturday, Dare said the First Lady’s remarks had been misunderstood, stressing that her message was about encouraging entrepreneurship, self-reliance and the dignity of labour rather than trivialising the country’s economic hardship.
The controversy followed remarks by the First Lady on Wednesday during a Renewed Hope Initiative meeting in Abuja, where she said starting businesses such as selling akara, kuli-kuli or roasted corn “doesn’t take a lot of money.”
She explained that the initiative provides direct financial grants not loans, to beneficiaries who want to establish such businesses.
Her comments, however, triggered widespread criticism on social media, with many Nigerians describing the advice as insensitive in view of soaring inflation and the rising costs of food items, fuel and other business inputs.
Responding to the backlash, Dare said Nigeria’s informal sector continues to sustain millions of livelihoods and remains a major pillar of the country’s economy.
“When you look at the informal sector of our country, its resilience continues to lift this economy You find it predominantly everywhere, and also in the north, they’re also significant,” he said.
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He urged Nigerians not to belittle small-scale businesses, noting that many successful people were raised through such ventures.
“Look at me. Wherever I am today, my mother sold akara,” Dare said.
“Wherever I am today, my mother sold bananas. I carried bananas in a tray on my head to markets in Jos, Plateau State. My mother sold oranges, and through that, they were able to train me.”
The presidential aide questioned why a model that successfully lifted families decades ago should suddenly become an object of ridicule.
“What is wrong with that? If that was right 60 years ago, what is wrong with that now? Because it’s about what capital you have. When you grow these small businesses, you start small,” he stated.
Dare maintained that the First Lady was not suggesting that young Nigerians should remain petty traders permanently, but was encouraging them to develop entrepreneurial skills and remain productively engaged.
“You must not miss her point, her point is that whatever it is, try and do something, have some level of entrepreneurial skill. The point she is making is, whatever it is, be engaged in some kind of enterprise,” he said.