Nigerian Afrobeats singer Mr Real has sparked widespread reactions on social media after responding to First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s recent advice encouraging Nigerians to embrace small-scale businesses as a way of coping with the country’s economic challenges.
The singer, best known for his hit song Legbegbe, criticized the First Lady’s remarks and made a controversial statement suggesting he would rather become a bandit than engage in petty trading such as selling akara or kulikuli.
His comments have ignited heated debate online, with many Nigerians divided over whether he was expressing frustration through satire or making an inappropriate statement about criminal activity.
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The controversy began after First Lady Oluremi Tinubu encouraged Nigerians to consider starting small businesses that require little capital.
Speaking about economic survival amid rising living costs, she cited businesses such as selling akara, kulikuli, roasted corn and other petty trades as practical ways for people to generate income.
According to the First Lady, these businesses are relatively affordable to establish and could help families earn a living during difficult economic times.
Her comments immediately generated mixed reactions across social media.
While some Nigerians agreed that small businesses can provide opportunities for self-employment, others argued that the advice failed to address the deeper economic issues affecting millions of citizens.
Joining the conversation, Mr Real strongly disagreed with the First Lady’s recommendation.
In a post shared on his Instagram page, the singer described the advice as insensitive to the realities facing many Nigerians.
He wrote:
“I go rather join bandit than to sell kulikuli and akara. And my target will be only politicians. At least if I am caught, they will rehabilitate me.”
The statement immediately went viral, attracting thousands of reactions within hours.
Mr Real’s comments quickly became a trending topic across multiple social media platforms.
Many users criticized the singer for referencing banditry, arguing that violence should never be portrayed as an alternative, even sarcastically, given the devastating impact armed criminal groups have had on communities across Nigeria.
Others interpreted the statement as political satire aimed at criticizing government policies and the country’s economic situation rather than an endorsement of criminal activity.
Some supporters argued that the singer was expressing the frustrations many young Nigerians feel over unemployment, inflation and the rising cost of living.
Critics, however, insisted that public figures should choose their words carefully because of their influence on young audiences.
Nigeria continues to face significant economic challenges, including high inflation, rising food prices and increased transportation costs.
Many households have struggled to cope with declining purchasing power, leading to growing public discussions about employment opportunities, entrepreneurship and government economic policies.
The First Lady’s comments were intended to encourage self-reliance through small-scale enterprises, but they also highlighted the frustration many citizens feel regarding the country’s current economic realities.
The reactions from Mr Real and other Nigerians demonstrate how sensitive discussions surrounding the economy have become.
As a well-known entertainer with a large following, Mr Real’s remarks have renewed conversations about the responsibility celebrities carry when discussing political or social issues.
Many observers believe celebrities have the right to criticize government policies but should avoid statements that could be interpreted as encouraging or trivializing violent crime.
Others maintain that satire has long been used by entertainers to express dissatisfaction with governance and public policy.
Regardless of intent, the statement has generated considerable public attention and continues to fuel debate across social media.
Public reactions remain sharply divided.
Some Nigerians believe the singer merely used exaggerated language to express disappointment with the government’s response to economic hardship.
Others argue that referencing banditry is inappropriate, particularly given the thousands of lives affected by armed violence across different parts of the country.
Several commentators have also called for greater focus on practical solutions to Nigeria’s economic challenges rather than exchanges between public officials and celebrities.
Neither the Presidency nor the Office of the First Lady had publicly responded to Mr Real’s remarks at the time of writing.
Similarly, the singer has not issued any clarification or follow-up statement explaining whether his comments were intended as satire or a literal expression of frustration.
As discussions continue online, the incident has become another example of how celebrity opinions can quickly shape national conversations on politics, governance and the economy.
For now, Mr Real’s controversial response has intensified debate over the First Lady’s economic advice while drawing renewed attention to the broader issues of unemployment, inflation and the search for sustainable livelihoods in Nigeria.
