The Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, has defended First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s empowerment initiatives, insisting that criticisms of her support for micro-traders stem from a lack of understanding of both her track record and the significance of Nigeria’s informal economy.
In a statement released on Monday, Olusegun described the backlash over the First Lady’s empowerment of traders, including akara and kulikuli sellers, as a “performative circus of selective amnesia.”
He argued that many critics had overlooked the broader scope of interventions executed under the Renewed Hope Initiative, which, according to him, spans healthcare, women’s empowerment, support for military widows, orphans, and persons living with disabilities.
Highlighting some of the programme’s achievements, Olusegun said the First Lady donated ₦1 billion to the National Cancer Fund for cervical cancer screening and another ₦1 billion for the procurement of tuberculosis diagnostic equipment in Abuja in 2025.
He also recalled that in 2023, 1,709 widows and orphans of fallen military personnel received ₦250,000 each, while persons living with disabilities across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory benefited from ₦200,000 business grants.
According to him, the Renewed Hope Initiative also partnered with the Tony Elumelu Foundation to provide ₦50,000 grants to 18,500 women nationwide, alongside the distribution of business equipment such as industrial grinding machines, generators, and freezers.
Olusegun criticised what he termed an “Olodo uprising” on social media, accusing many users of reacting to trending conversations without verifying the facts.
He said people were more interested in creating memes and spreading misleading narratives than taking time to understand the context behind the empowerment programmes.
According to him, the First Lady’s interventions are designed to address the immediate needs of vulnerable Nigerians rather than attract online applause.
Olusegun also rejected claims that supporting small-scale traders amounts to “weaponising poverty.”
Citing economic data, he noted that Nigeria’s informal sector contributes more than 50 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and accounts for over 80 per cent of employment, making micro-businesses a vital component of the national economy.
He argued that providing grants and operational tools to petty traders helps reduce business costs, strengthens grassroots food supply chains, and improves household incomes.
He further maintained that dismissing such interventions as insignificant reflects a lack of appreciation for the struggles of Nigeria’s working class.
The presidential aide also defended the political relevance of grassroots empowerment, pointing to the TraderMoni and MarketMoni schemes introduced during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration under then Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
According to him, such programmes have helped the All Progressives Congress build trust among low-income Nigerians by addressing their immediate economic challenges.
Olusegun concluded that Oluremi Tinubu’s record as former First Lady of Lagos State, a three-term senator, and now First Lady of Nigeria demonstrates a long-standing commitment to structured empowerment initiatives.
He insisted that she would remain focused on expanding support for vulnerable Nigerians despite criticism on social media, saying her mission is to continue empowering citizens through sustainable interventions.