A senior member of the All Progressives Congress, Abayomi Nurain Mumuni, has pushed back against criticism aimed at First Lady Oluremi Tinubu after she encouraged Nigerians to engage in small‑scale businesses such as akara production.
Mumuni Defends the First Lady’s Akara Comment
In a statement released on Saturday and signed by his media aide Rasheed Abubakar, Mumuni said the First Lady’s remarks were misunderstood. He explained that her intention was to promote economic self‑sufficiency, especially among women and low‑income families, by highlighting ventures that need little start‑up capital.
Small Capital Businesses Are Viable
Mumuni stressed that many Nigerians living below the poverty line only need a modest amount of money to launch a sustainable enterprise. “For some, ₦50,000 or even ₦100,000 is enough to start a business and begin making profit,” he said, adding that this is precisely the group the First Lady had in mind.
Government Support for All Business Sizes
He also pointed out that the Federal Government has rolled out several programmes to assist businesses of varying scales. These include the Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme, the Presidential Palliative Loan Programme, Bank of Industry intervention funds, and the support initiatives of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN). According to Mumuni, many entrepreneurs have already benefited from these interventions, which cater to both small start‑ups and established firms.
Call for Constructive Criticism
Mumuni urged Nigerians to differentiate between constructive feedback and misplaced anger. While opinions on policy are welcome, he argued that channeling national energy toward tackling insecurity, poverty, and hunger would yield better results. He concluded that the First Lady’s message should be seen as a realistic pathway to sustenance, not a limitation on women’s potential.
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