Noble pursuits defended by APC youth for Remi Tinubu's petty trade advice

An All Progressives Congress (APC) youth leader has publicly come to the defense of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s recent advice regarding petty trading, asserting that engaging in businesses like selling akara is a more honorable path for women than being labeled prostitutes. The youth leader, whose identity remained unconfirmed at the time of this report, made these comments during a press briefing held at Imo House in Abuja. The conference was initially convened to discuss the alleged replacement of Adamu Tanko in the Gurara Federal Constituency of Niger State, but the youth leader used the platform to address the widespread criticism following the First Lady’s earlier encouragement for Nigerians to embrace small-scale enterprises, such as frying akara and selling kuli-kuli.

A video clip of his remarks, captured by News Century TV on Friday, quickly gained traction across various social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and X. His distinctive cap, bearing a bold white emblem reminiscent of those associated with President Bola Tinubu, also attracted significant online attention alongside his statements.

He posed a rhetorical question to the audience: "Is it not better to be noble than to be doing filthy things? It is better they know you as an akara seller than to be known as an armed robber?" He further elaborated, emphasizing that it is preferable for a woman to be recognized as a kuli-kuli vendor than to be stigmatized as a prostitute, or a "body seller" tagged as a "hookup girl," "hookup woman," or "sugar mum." "It is better they know you as a kuli-kuli seller than to be known as a prostitute? It is better they know you as a body seller than to be tagged a hookup girl, a hookup woman, or a sugar mum. So we want our mothers to be noble. Start something small," he urged.

The youth leader also questioned the critics, asking when the First Lady had disbursed N100 million grants to states with directives to "empower 2,000 women" or "empower 1,000 women," noting that she had similarly urged state first ladies to bolster women's empowerment initiatives. He then highlighted other significant interventions by the First Lady, including a N2 billion donation towards tuberculosis cases, N1 billion to combat malnutrition, and N1.5 billion aimed at addressing the high incidence of cancer and hypertension in hospitals. "Is this grant the only thing the First Lady has done? Don’t you remember when she donated N2bn to tuberculosis cases? Don’t you remember when she donated N1bn to tackle malnutrition? Don’t you remember when she donated N1.5bn to address the high rate of cancer and hypertension cases in our hospitals?" he stated.

He maintained that the reference to akara should not overshadow the First Lady's broader efforts in empowerment, revealing that his own mother was an akara seller. He clarified that beneficiaries of the grant were encouraged to utilize the funds for small businesses of their choosing, and the akara example was merely illustrative, regretting its misrepresentation. "They said, ‘We support your petty business, it’s your own decision what you use it for.’ That was the question posed as an example she gave. We won’t appreciate people twisting her words," he added.

The First Lady had previously faced online criticism after advocating for small-scale ventures such as akara, roasted corn, and kuli-kuli, citing their minimal capital requirements. These remarks were made after the Renewed Hope Initiative’s second-quarter meeting with state governors' wives at the State House, Abuja. The comments sparked immediate backlash, with many Nigerians interpreting them as downplaying the severe economic challenges faced by ordinary citizens.

Days later, Mrs. Tinubu reiterated her stance, clarifying that the Federal Government's empowerment schemes extend beyond akara sellers to include traders of tomatoes, pepper, vegetables, and roasted plantain. She announced that 2,000 women had already received N100 million in total, with each beneficiary receiving N50,000 to recapitalize their businesses.

Supporting the First Lady, Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, shared his background as a child of a petty trader, arguing that critics were missing the core message of micro-enterprise, self-reliance, and the dignity of labor. Similarly, Dada Olusegun, Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, dismissed the criticism as a "performative circus of selective amnesia," drawing attention to the Renewed Hope Initiative's contributions to healthcare, women's empowerment, and support for military widows and persons with disabilities.

Even President Bola Tinubu himself appeared to light-heartedly address the controversy, affectionately referring to the First Lady as "Iya Alakara" (Mama Akara Seller) during the Presidential Press Corps Dinner at the State House, Abuja.

The 'Akara, Kulikuli debate' has also reportedly found its way into university examinations, and the Tinubu media centre posted an AI-generated image of Remi Tinubu selling akara, further highlighting the widespread discussion around the topic.