Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has responded to the criticism that followed her earlier remarks about small businesses, including akara selling, reaffirming her commitment to supporting small-scale traders across the country.
She made the remarks on Monday, June 29, during the announcement of a N100 million intervention package for 2,000 female petty traders in Jigawa state.
Under the initiative, each beneficiary will receive N50,000 to help strengthen and expand her business.
A video of the First Lady’s address, which was shared on X, captured her emphasizing the importance of sustaining support for women engaged in modest businesses, including the sale of tomatoes, boli, pepper, and vegetables.
According to her, the women who benefit from these empowerment programmes recognize their value and remain appreciative of the assistance, regardless of the criticism the initiative has received.
She stated:
“We also have tomato sellers, boli, those selling pepper, those 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. “I know all those people who are affected, do appreciate it. We are not intimidated by all those reports, but we are forging ahead in making sure that our people are well cared for.”
The First Lady also reaffirmed that the government would sustain programmes designed to improve the welfare and livelihoods of citizens. “We will continue to care in the capacity that we can,” she said.
Watch the video below
I heard people talking about akara sellers. It is not only akara sellers. We are also supporting tomato sellers, maize sellers, vegetable sellers, and many other petty traders. I know the beneficiaries appreciate it, and we’re not intimidated by the wrong reports.
– First Lady… pic.twitter.com/zoVRPLm2Eg
— Nigerian Affairs Journal (@NigAffairs) June 30, 2026
