Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, has come under heavy criticism after suggesting that businesses such as selling akara, roasted corn, and kuli-kuli can be started with minimal capital.
Speaking to journalists in a video that has since gone viral on social media, the First Lady defended the Federal Government’s approach to supporting small-scale entrepreneurs, explaining that beneficiaries received grants instead of loans.
According to her, “To start akara business doesn’t take a lot of money. To start roasting corn or kuli-kuli doesn’t take much. We didn’t give them a loan, we gave them a grant. We have encouraged Nigerians as best as we could. I also gave to several others.”
Her comments have, however, sparked widespread reactions online, with many Nigerians arguing that the remarks failed to reflect the economic realities facing millions of citizens grappling with high inflation and the rising cost of living.
Reacting to the video, an X user, @whokantakulaya, wrote: “We don’t want you to give, just help create a society where the bare minimum can be affordable Ma, where norms are norms, just the bare minimum and we good.”
Another user, identified as @Susan, described the statement as offensive, saying, “This is an insult to Nigerians and these people needs to be put in their places! The country needs to be made ungovernable for them.”
Similarly, @PoliticalPhoenix argued that grants alone cannot address the country’s economic difficulties.
“Remi Tinubu giving small grants for akara and roasted corn while her husband’s policies have destroyed millions of businesses and pushed Nigerians into extreme poverty? This is not hope – it’s crumbs from the table they shattered. Fuel prices, inflation and hardship remain unbearable. Nigerians need real economic recovery, not PR grants,” the user wrote.
Another commentator, @YanaOffycial, expressed concern over the administration’s direction, stating: “It’s now clear. The husband don corrupt the wife finish. Nothing remain again. If these people are to come back for second term, I swear to God, it will be disastrous.”
However, not all reactions were critical. An X user, @Solomon_Sire, defended the First Lady and the administration, saying Nigerians should make better use of government support.
“Nigerians are just greedy people, someone gave out all these billions as grant and you people still couldn’t make the best use of it. Nigerians can’t be helped, this current Government has helped take out more people out of poverty and they deserve our votes for second term,” the user wrote.
Others also questioned whether petty traders would be allowed to operate freely, with @Un2say1 remarking that enforcement agencies could still harass beneficiaries even after they established their businesses.
The debate continues to generate mixed reactions on social media, highlighting the growing public concern over Nigeria’s economic challenges and the effectiveness of government interventions aimed at supporting small businesses.
