First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has defended her recent remarks on small-scale businesses, clarifying that the Federal Government’s empowerment initiatives are designed to support a wide range of petty traders and not only those engaged in selling akara.
Mrs Tinubu made the clarification on Monday during the inauguration of the newly constructed Abubakar Maje Haruna Hall at the Emir of Hadejia’s Palace in Jigawa State, according to a video broadcast by TVC News.
Her explanation follows widespread criticism on social media after her earlier comments referencing akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli businesses, with many Nigerians accusing her of downplaying the country’s economic challenges.
Addressing the controversy, the First Lady said the Federal Government had already provided ₦100 million to the Jigawa State Government to empower 2,000 small-scale traders.
She explained that the beneficiaries include traders dealing in tomatoes, pepper, vegetables, roasted plantain and other everyday market products.
“Because of the atmosphere, what is going on, I’ve told Her Excellency that we’ve already given, donated about 100 million to her to use to empower 2,000 petty traders.
“And I know they’ve been talking that I said akara. It’s not only akara, we also have tomato sellers. We have boole, and those also selling pepper, selling vegetables for us in the market.
“We will continue to empower them and add to their resources so that their trade can really be sustainable. So that is what we are doing,” she said.
Mrs Tinubu disclosed that each beneficiary would receive ₦50,000 to strengthen and expand their businesses.
She noted that the programme is intended to improve the financial capacity of women engaged in small enterprises across the state.
“We continue to carry the capacity. We have the amount of 2,000 women who are already in small businesses. They will recapitalise their businesses with the N50,000 each. We’ve already given the N100 million,” she added.
The First Lady insisted that public criticism would not discourage the Federal Government from implementing programmes aimed at supporting low-income traders.
She maintained that the intended beneficiaries understand and appreciate the objectives of the initiative.
“I know all those people who are affected, they do appreciate it. And we are not intimidated by all those wrong reports. But we are forging ahead and making sure that our people, you know, are well cared for,” Mrs Tinubu said.
She also spoke on Nigeria’s economic potential, urging young Nigerians to take advantage of the country’s abundant natural resources instead of relying solely on opportunities connected to the oil sector.
Recalling a recent visit to Benue State, she pointed to the vast agricultural resources she witnessed, including an orange orchard, as evidence of the country’s untapped wealth.
“Nigeria is a really blessed country. I’ve been travelling, and I pray that our young people will see the resources we have in this nation. We have not even gone to explore yet because we are thinking it’s oil. But there are so many things,” she said.
Mrs Tinubu reiterated that the government would continue implementing empowerment programmes targeted at improving livelihoods and supporting small business owners across the country.
