FG Empowerment Programme Covers Tomato, Pepper Sellers, Not Akara Alone – Remi Tinubu

Senator Oluremi Tinubu has defended her recent remarks on small-scale businesses, clarifying that the Federal Government’s empowerment initiatives extend beyond akara sellers to include traders dealing in tomatoes, pepper, vegetables, roasted plantain and other petty businesses.

The First Lady made the clarification on Monday during the inauguration of the newly constructed Abubakar Maje Haruna Hall at the palace of the Emir of Hadejia in Jigawa State.

Her comments come amid criticism that followed earlier remarks referencing akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli businesses, which attracted widespread reactions on social media, with some Nigerians accusing her of downplaying prevailing economic challenges.

Addressing the controversy, Mrs Tinubu disclosed that the Federal Government had provided N100 million to the Jigawa State Government to empower 2,000 petty traders across the state.

According to her, the beneficiaries, comprising women engaged in various small-scale enterprises, would receive N50,000 each to recapitalise and expand their businesses.

“And I know they have been talking that I said akara. It is not only akara; we also have tomato sellers. We have boole, and those also selling pepper and vegetables in the market. We will continue to empower them and add to their resources so that their trade can really be sustainable,” she said.

The First Lady stressed that criticism of her earlier comments would not deter the administration from pursuing its grassroots empowerment agenda.

She maintained that many beneficiaries appreciated the intervention and insisted that the government remained committed to improving the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.

Mrs Tinubu also highlighted Nigeria’s vast untapped economic potential beyond crude oil, citing her visit to an orange orchard in Benue State as evidence of the country’s abundant natural resources.

She urged young Nigerians to explore opportunities in agriculture and other sectors, expressing optimism that diversification would unlock greater prosperity and sustainable development across the nation.