Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has defended her controversial advice urging struggling Nigerians to embrace small-scale businesses such as frying akara, roasting corn and producing kuli kuli, insisting the Federal Government remains committed to empowering grassroots entrepreneurs.
Mrs Tinubu’s remarks come days after her June 25 comments in Abuja sparked widespread criticism, with many Nigerians arguing that encouraging women to venture into low-capital businesses was out of touch with the realities of a technology-driven economy.
The critics contended that such ventures offer limited profit potential and fall short of addressing the country’s rising unemployment and economic hardship.
Undeterred by the backlash, the First Lady reiterated her position on Monday while speaking at an event in Jigawa State, maintaining that the government would not abandon its grassroots empowerment initiatives because of public criticism.
According to her, the Federal Government has extended financial support to petty traders dealing in tomatoes, pepper, vegetables and roasted plantains, with beneficiaries receiving grants of N50,000 each to recapitalise their businesses.
She disclosed that a total of N100 million has so far been disbursed under the initiative to support small-scale entrepreneurs.
Mrs Tinubu stressed that the criticism surrounding her earlier remarks would not derail the administration’s efforts to empower Nigerians economically.
She also urged young Nigerians to look beyond crude oil and take advantage of the country’s abundant natural resources and untapped opportunities.
“Nigeria is a really blessed country. I’ve been travelling, and I pray that our young people will see the resources we have in this nation. We have not even gone to explore yet because we are thinking it’s oil. But there are so many things,” she said.
Further details obtained by this online newspaper indicate that the First Lady maintained that expanding access to small business grants remains a key component of the Federal Government’s strategy to boost livelihoods and encourage self-reliance at the grassroots.
