The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, has defended First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu following the public backlash over her remarks encouraging Nigerians to embrace small-scale businesses such as selling akara, roasting corn and producing kuli-kuli.
Speaking during an interview on the Mic On Podcast on Saturday, Dare said the First Lady’s comments had been widely misunderstood, stressing that her message was aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, self-reliance and the dignity of labour rather than limiting young Nigerians to petty trading.
The controversy began after Senator Tinubu addressed beneficiaries of the Renewed Hope Initiative in Abuja on Wednesday, where she encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to consider businesses that require little start-up capital. She explained that the initiative provides grants—not loans—to help beneficiaries establish such ventures.
Her comments, however, sparked criticism on social media, with many Nigerians describing the advice as insensitive amid rising inflation, soaring food prices and increasing production costs.
Responding to the criticism, Dare maintained that Nigeria’s informal sector remains one of the country’s strongest economic pillars, providing livelihoods for millions despite prevailing economic challenges.
According to him, many successful Nigerians, including himself, owe their achievements to humble family businesses.
“My mother sold akara. She also sold bananas and oranges, and I carried bananas on my head to markets in Jos, Plateau State. Those businesses paid for my education and contributed to where I am today,” Dare said.
He argued that there should be no shame in starting small, noting that several families had escaped poverty through micro-enterprises.
Questioning the criticism directed at the First Lady, Dare asked why a model of economic survival that benefited previous generations should now be dismissed.
“If it worked decades ago, what is wrong with it today? It all depends on the capital available. You start small and grow your business,” he said.
Dare further clarified that Senator Tinubu was not suggesting that Nigerians should remain in small-scale trading permanently but was encouraging citizens to develop entrepreneurial skills and engage in productive ventures regardless of their starting point.
“The point she is making is simple: whatever you can do, be engaged in some form of enterprise and build from there,” he added.