Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, has sparked mixed reactions after encouraging low-income Nigerians to start small businesses such as selling akara, roasted corn, and kuli-kuli, saying these ventures do not require much capital to begin.
While speaking about the Federal Government's efforts to support small businesses, Remi Tinubu said the administration has been empowering Nigerians through grants rather than loans. According to her, businesses like akara, roasted corn, and kuli-kuli can be started with very little money, making them suitable for people seeking a source of income.
“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,” she said.
The First Lady also disclosed that more than ₦3 billion has been spent on programmes aimed at empowering poor Nigerians, adding that the government remains committed to supporting small businesses and improving livelihoods.
However, her comments quickly sparked criticism on social media, particularly on X. Many Nigerians argued that the country's current economic realities have made it difficult for small businesses to survive, regardless of the amount of capital needed to start them.
Several users pointed to rising inflation, the increasing cost of goods, and low consumer spending as major challenges facing small business owners. Others said many small businesses have already closed because of the harsh economic conditions, with some insisting that grants alone are not enough without broader economic improvements.
The remarks have continued to generate debate online, with some praising the government's empowerment initiatives while others called for more effective measures to address the country's rising cost of living and support struggling entrepreneurs.
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