Headline:
Sunday Dare Defends First Lady’s Akara Business Remarks, Says Small Entrepreneurs Sustain Nigeria’s Economy
Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, has defended First Lady Oluremi Tinubu over her recent comments encouraging Nigerians to explore small-scale businesses such as selling akara, roasted corn and kuli kuli as viable sources of income.
Mrs Tinubu had stated that such micro-enterprises require little startup capital, explaining that the Federal Government was providing grants—not loans—to support beneficiaries seeking to establish small businesses.
“We’re trying to give hope, and to start an 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,” the First Lady said.
Her remarks, however, sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians accusing her of downplaying the country’s economic challenges and the financial difficulties faced by millions of citizens.
Responding to the criticism during an interview on the Mic On Podcast hosted by Channels Television journalist Seun Okinbaloye, Dare argued that the comments had been misunderstood, insisting that small-scale businesses remain a vital part of Nigeria’s economy.
According to the former minister, informal entrepreneurs, including akara vendors, contribute significantly to economic activity and provide livelihoods for countless Nigerians across the country.
“We find them predominantly everywhere, also in the north,” Dare said, highlighting the widespread presence and economic relevance of such businesses.
His comments add to the ongoing debate over the government’s approach to tackling economic hardship, with supporters arguing that promoting micro-enterprises can boost financial independence, while critics insist broader economic reforms are needed to address rising inflation, unemployment and the cost-of-living crisis.
