27/06/2026
JUST IN: First Lady Remi Tinubu has sparked reactions after encouraging Nigerians to explore small-scale businesses such as selling akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli, saying they require little capital to start. She made the remarks while highlighting grants and support provided through the Renewed Hope Initiative.
“We’re trying to give hope, and to start Akara business doesn’t take a lot of money. To start roasting corn, or somebody even said kuli kuli doesn’t take much. We didn’t give them a loan; we gave it to them as a grant,” she said.
Tinubu also outlined interventions in healthcare, education, agriculture and social investment, including donations for tuberculosis, breast cancer and malnutrition programmes. While some Nigerians criticised the comments as being disconnected from current economic realities, others defended the First Lady, describing the suggested businesses as legitimate sources of income and examples of the dignity of labour.
