‘Disconnected From Reality’ – Nigerians Blast Remi Tinubu Over Akara Business Comments

‘Disconnected From Reality’ – Nigerians Blast Remi Tinubu Over Akara Business Comments

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has ignited a social media firestorm after encouraging economically disadvantaged citizens to consider small-scale food businesses such as selling akara (fried bean cakes), roasted corn, and kuli-kuli (peanut cakes) as viable means of earning a living .

Mrs Tinubu made the remarks while speaking with State House Correspondents following the second-quarter meeting of the Renewed Hope Initiative with wives of state governors at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 . A video of her comments, later shared online, quickly went viral and triggered widespread reactions across social media platforms .

Speaking on the activities of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Senator Tinubu explained that her office has been providing grants rather than loans to vulnerable Nigerians to help them establish small businesses and improve their livelihoods . She emphasized that such ventures require minimal capital to start and can help families cope with the country’s economic challenges. “We’re trying to give hope, and to start an akara business doesn’t take a lot of money. To start roasting corn, or somebody even said kuli-kuli doesn’t take much. We didn’t give them a loan; we gave it to them as a grant,” she stated .

According to the First Lady, her interventions are centred on providing grants to enable beneficiaries to establish small-scale businesses without the burden of repayment . She added that her office has continued to support Nigerians through various empowerment initiatives designed to improve livelihoods and promote self-reliance. “So we’ve encouraged Nigerians as best as we could. What is within our hands, I have given, and I keep giving,” she said .

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The First Lady also outlined significant financial interventions she has personally supported in the health sector, totalling billions of naira . She disclosed that she donated N2 billion to combat tuberculosis, N1 billion for breast cancer interventions, and N500 million to address food malnutrition . “I remember giving for TB. When I heard there were so many TB cases, I gave N2 billion. To breast cancer, I gave a billion. For food malnutrition, I gave half a billion,” she stated . She added that her office has also supported programmes in agriculture, education, social investment, and digital skills development, including scholarships and ICT training in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) . The Renewed Hope Initiative has also provided support for victims of conflict and vulnerable families, including food assistance to 22 states and the FCT .

Tinubu urged Nigerians to remain hopeful despite prevailing economic difficulties, emphasizing that the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda was designed to restore optimism among citizens . “The narrative has really changed, has changed to challenge the average man, whereas the average man is supposed to have hope. So I like the idea that Mr President says this is the Renewed Hope Agenda. We have to renew our hope, and that’s how we renew our hope, you know, and that’s what I have to tell Nigerians,” she said .

However, the First Lady’s comments on small-scale businesses triggered swift and sharp criticism online, with many social media users accusing her of downplaying the severity of Nigeria’s economic challenges and being disconnected from the realities facing ordinary citizens . An X user, @ADCVanguard_, said the video demonstrated “exactly how disconnected Nigeria’s ruling class has become from the reality of ordinary citizens” . Another user, @ireteeh, contrasted the initiative with private-sector efforts, writing: “The First Lady is empowering people with akara, corn, and kuli-kuli, while an ordinary citizen with limited resources is equipping people to build thriving careers in cybersecurity” .

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Some critics argued that the grants being distributed could not address the broader economic challenges facing Nigerians. PoliticalPhoenix commented: “Remi Tinubu giving small grants for akara and roasted corn while her husband’s policies have destroyed millions of businesses and pushed Nigerians into extreme poverty? This is not hope – it’s crumbs from the table they shattered. Fuel prices, inflation and hardship remain unbearable. Nigerians need real economic recovery, not PR grants” . A user identified as Nefertiti (@firstladyship) also criticised the remarks, saying, “Nigerians are in big trouble. There is fire on the mountain but the people are tired of running” . Another user, @Susan, described the statement as “an insult to Nigerians,” while @MrEazzy wrote: “When your husband fails in 2027, we’ll ensure you and your children start Akara and Kuli-Kuli business on the coastal expressway” .

Popular Nigerian disc jockey, Obianuju Catherine Udeh, professionally known as DJ Switch, also slammed the First Lady over her remarks. In a post on her Instagram, DJ Switch said that while other nations are creating spaces and infrastructure to develop their people for this rapidly evolving world, Remi Tinubu is encouraging the sale of kuli-kuli . She wrote: “With absolute no due respect Remi! Thunder fire you! While other nations are creating spaces and infrastructure to develop their people for this rapidly developing world, you want us to sell kuli-kuli? And the otondo’s behind you are nodding their greedy necks! I can’t express how much I despise you, people” .

Despite the backlash, some Nigerians defended the First Lady, arguing that there was nothing wrong with encouraging people to engage in small businesses and that such ventures have proven profitable for many . An X user, @Akikanju1568901, described akara as “one of the most lucrative businesses in Nigeria,” noting that the trade has enabled many families to train their children in universities and acquire houses and cars . He further argued that the profit margin in akara business exceeds 50 percent, and many Nigerian youths lack the drive to explore the opportunities available to them . Another user, @PemiOladapo, wrote: “There’s dignity in labour… these are our local snacks! People should start it and scale it!” .

Meanwhile, some commentators argued that the criticism was not about the nature of the businesses but about the broader economic context. @TossynBankz_ wrote: “Nobody is mocking akara, roasted corn, or kuli-kuli. Those are honest businesses. The problem is that Nigerians are asking for a better economy, more jobs, and lower prices. Telling people to start selling akara in this situation just feels like the government doesn’t understand what people are going through” .

‘Disconnected From Reality’ – Nigerians Blast Remi Tinubu Over Akara Business Comments