The federal government has publicly supported First Lady Remi Tinubu regarding her recent suggestion that citizens engage in micro-businesses like selling roasted corn or bean cakes (akara). Sunday Dare, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, addressed the matter during the Mic-On podcast. He noted that he personally sold akara and bananas during his youth to support his family.
The First Lady had previously faced backlash from critics who argued that such suggestions were inappropriate for the current economic climate, with some observers suggesting she should encourage her own relatives to take up similar work. Responding to these critiques, Dare emphasized that his own education was funded by his mother’s income from selling snacks in Jos, Plateau State. He maintained that there is no shame in honest labor.
Dare further argued that the informal sector serves as a vital backbone for the nation’s economy. He explained that the First Lady intended to promote a spirit of self-reliance and entrepreneurship, urging people to pursue any available means of generating income rather than focusing on the specific nature of the trade.
