A New Recipe for Survival?

NEW RECIPE FOR SURVIVAL?

First Lady's Akara Comments Spark National Debate on Jobs and Hope.

(Senator Oluremi Tinubu speaking at the event)

Punch Newspapers - "Remi Tinubu faces backlash over akara, roasted corn remarks".

https://punchng.com/remi-tinubu-faces-backlash-over-akara-roasted-corn-remarks/

By Evans Faith Chidera

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In response to the efforts of the Renewed Hope Initiative to support vulnerable Nigerians through grants and other interventions, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, urged struggling Nigerians to use government empowerment grants to start small, low-capital informal businesses.

She mentioned examples like selling akara (bean cakes), roasted corn, and kulikuli as valuable income alternatives. The speech was given in late June 2026 at the State House in Abuja. She was addressing journalists following a women’s empowerment event aimed at encouraging resilience and providing practical options for vulnerable individuals navigating the current economic hardship.

The initiative, launched under the current administration is distributing non-repayable financial grants to women across the 36 states and FCT(Federal Capital Territory). According to Officials, the grants are intended to serve as seed capital for small-scale ventures, particularly in food processing, petty trading and agriculture.

Speaking after the second-quarter meeting of the Renewed Hope Initiative(RHI) with the wives of the state governors at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the First Lady explained that the initiative provides grants rather than loans to support vulnerable Nigerians in starting businesses. According to her, the objective of the programme is to encourage self-reliance by helping beneficiaries establish small businesses with minimal startup capital.

During the event, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, highlighted the efforts of the Renewed Hope Initiative to support vulnerable Nigerians through grants and other interventions. She said: “We are trying to give hope. Starting an akara business doesn’t take a lot of money. Roasting corn, or as someone even said, kulikuli, doesn’t take much. So we have encouraged Nigerians as best as we could. What is within our power, I have given and I will keep giving.” She added: “We didn’t give them a loan. We gave it to them as a grant.”

The video of the First Lady making these comments quickly went viral on social media and Nigerians are divided in their opinions. While some people praised the dignity of labor, others strongly criticized the remarks. They argued that inflation and the high cost of inputs like beans and cooking gas make it too expensive for the most vulnerable citizens to start these businesses.

A market survey in conducted in Lagos and Abuja in June 2026 showed that a bag of beans now sells for over 90000, while a 12.5kg cylinder of cooking gas averages 18000 to refill. Critics asked how a grant of 50000 to 100000 which some beneficiaries reported receiving can cover startup costs and sustain a business in that environment.

Beyond the immediate controversy, the incident highlighted a wider discussion about economic policy in Nigeria and amid the controversy, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu jokingly and affectionately referred to her as “Iya Alakara”; (Mama Akara seller). The clip quickly went viral and sparked widespread public discussion with memes and skits flooding Tiktok and Instagram.

(Tinubu media centre shares AI image of First Lady selling Akara). Vanguard newspaper https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/07/tinubu-media-centre-shares-ai-image-of-first-lady-selling-akara/

The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, came under criticism on social media and her comments have generated mixed reactions online. On X, formerly Twitter, the hashtag #AkaraEconomy trended for over 24 hours. Some Nigerians praised the emphasis on grassroots entrepreneurship, while others argued and questioned whether such comments adequately reflect the aspirations of millions of young Nigerians who are looking for skilled employment and better economic opportunities.

One X user with the handle @S_Muhammadu_Umar said: “Brother, what is wrong with selling kulikuli and akara? Just say people should stop doing food businesses altogether. This elitist class mentality is exactly why foreigners use our country as a dumping ground for industries that we think we are 'too big' to handle.”

On Facebook, market women groups defended the statement, sharing photos of their stalls and On tiktok, comedians re-created the speech with pots and frying pans while others used it to discuss the reality of "hustle culture" in Nigeria.

(A Facebook handle of Erickcoco) “ Come Patronize me oo...” https://www.facebook.com/groups/1027918901751551/permalink/1700446181165483/?mibextid=Nif5oz

(Awele Esogbue. Facebook post titled "iya Agbado... Yes ooo no shame for business..." ) https://www.facebook.com/61585794813505/posts/122130179937193160/

As the comments spread widely, backlash and criticism grew. Many citizens, particularly unemployed youth and professionals, expressed outrage.

For now, Akara pot has become a symbol. To some, it represents resilience and hope. To others, it represents a government that has run out of bigger answers. As the First Lady said: " What is within my power, I have given and I will continue to give". The question Nigerians are asking is: " what more can be done and who will do it?".