Jun 30, 2026

First Lady Fires Back: "Akara Critics Won't Stop Us"

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in news

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Abuja, Nigeria - In a no-nonsense response that’s lighting up social media, Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has clapped back at fierce criticism of her women’s empowerment drive.

“I know they’ve been talking,” she said Tuesday. “I mentioned Akara, but it’s not just Akara. We’re supporting tomato sellers, Boli vendors, pepper and vegetable traders in the markets. We’ll keep empowering them.”

She added pointedly: those actually benefiting appreciate the help, and “wrong reports” won’t intimidate the team.

The firestorm erupted after Mrs. Tinubu highlighted Renewed Hope Initiative grants, noting that starting small businesses like frying akara or roasting corn “doesn’t take much money.”

In a nation battered by inflation and high living costs, the comments struck a nerve.

Critics, including the Yoruba Union, slammed them as out-of-touch, arguing they reflect deeper economic pain rather than real solutions. Many online mocked the idea of street vending as sufficient progress.

Yet supporters see grounded realism. Nigeria’s informal economy feeds millions of women and families. Modest grants—such as recent N50,000 packages for petty traders—offer immediate lifelines where formal jobs are scarce.

The Presidency backs her, calling it a push for entrepreneurial grit amid tough realities.

This divide cuts deep. Micro-businesses bring dignity and daily bread, but many Nigerians crave bolder fixes: jobs, lower costs, and policies that truly transform lives beyond survival mode.

As one veteran observer notes, aid must pair with visible results to rebuild trust.

Mrs. Tinubu’s defiance shows resolve. Whether it silences doubters or sparks better outcomes will depend on stories of women truly rising—not just coping. In hard times, hope needs both heart and hard proof.