LOKOJA – First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has defended her decision to support petty traders with government grants, saying small businesses such as akara, pepper and vegetable trading can create jobs and improve livelihoods.
Speaking on Saturday at the launch of the National Community Food Bank Programme in Lokoja, Kogi State, the First Lady said she remained committed to empowering grassroots entrepreneurs despite criticism that followed her earlier remarks on petty trading.
She also called on top Nigerian entertainers, including Burna Boy, Davido and Asake, to establish charitable foundations to support poor and vulnerable Nigerians, saying successful celebrities should give back to society.
In June, Tinubu had suggested that women could be empowered through grants to start small businesses such as frying akara, roasting corn and processing kuli-kuli. The comment attracted criticism from some Nigerians, who argued that it downplayed the economic challenges facing women.
Responding to the criticism on Saturday, the First Lady insisted that the Renewed Hope Initiative would continue to support small-scale traders across the country.
“I want to appeal to our young ones in the entertainment industry,” she said.
“I have mentioned it before, and I will use Akon, a music icon who does a lot of great charity work.
“They make the Burna Boys of this world, the Asakes, all of them, Davido, we want to see you with one foundation or the other, helping the poor with your money.”
She said owning luxury cars was not wrong but encouraged successful entertainers to also invest in helping those in need.
“Good cars are good, a Maybach is good, a Rolls-Royce is good, but still, you can help,” she said.
Tinubu said the empowerment programme was designed for traders involved in businesses such as selling pepper, vegetables, okra, melon and akara.
According to her, supporting small businesses helps reduce poverty and creates employment opportunities.
“The burden on the government is huge. You can still help. There are pepper sellers, there are vegetable sellers, there are okra sellers, melon sellers, akara sellers. Akara is delicious, I can tell you that,” she said.
The First Lady also shared the story of a graduate in Abuja who started selling akara after failing to secure a job.
She said her team later supported the young man with additional resources, enabling him to expand the business.
“He now has 12 workers working under him, and he’s doing very, very well,” she said.
Tinubu’s earlier comments on petty trading sparked widespread reactions, with some critics describing the suggestion as inadequate in addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges.
Despite the backlash, she has continued the programme, including the distribution of N50,000 grants to 2,000 petty traders during a visit to Jigawa State in June.
