An All Progressives Congress (APC) youth leader has defended First Lady Oluremi Tinubu over her recent comments encouraging women to embrace small businesses such as akara, kuli-kuli and roasted maize trading.
He said honest trading is more respectable than engaging in criminal or immoral activities.
‘Honest Work Is Better Than Crime’
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the APC youth leader said many critics misunderstood the First Lady’s remarks.
He stressed that her message focused on self-reliance and the dignity of labour.
“Is it not better to be noble than to be doing filthy things? It is better they know you as an akara seller than to be known as an armed robber.”
He added that selling kuli-kuli or other small goods is more honourable than engaging in prostitution or transactional relationships.
Leader Says Critics Missed the Main Message
The APC youth leader rejected claims that the First Lady’s empowerment efforts centred only on petty trading.
He said Oluremi Tinubu has supported women through several intervention programmes across the country.
According to him, she has also encouraged the wives of state governors to expand empowerment initiatives for women.
He Highlights Other Interventions
The speaker also listed other programmes he attributed to the First Lady.
He mentioned interventions targeting tuberculosis, malnutrition, cancer and hypertension.
According to him, critics ignored these initiatives and focused only on the akara example.
‘My Mother Sells Akara’
The APC youth leader also shared a personal story while defending the First Lady.
“My mother sells akara. We shouldn’t look down on someone selling akara.”
He urged Nigerians to respect people who earn a living through legitimate businesses, regardless of their size.
Akara Remarks Sparked Public Debate
The controversy began after Oluremi Tinubu encouraged women to consider low-capital businesses such as akara, roasted maize and kuli-kuli during a meeting of the Renewed Hope Initiative with wives of state governors.
The comments triggered mixed reactions on social media, with some Nigerians arguing that they did not reflect the country’s current economic realities.
The First Lady later clarified that the empowerment programme covers different categories of traders and not only akara sellers. She also announced that 2,000 women would receive ₦50,000 each to support their businesses. President Bola Tinubu and other presidential aides have also defended her remarks.
