Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, has sparked widespread debate after encouraging Nigerians with limited financial resources to consider starting small businesses such as selling akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli, saying such ventures require only a small amount of capital.
Remi Tinubu remarks have generated mixed reactions across social media, with supporters describing the advice as practical while critics argue that the country’s current economic realities make even small-scale businesses difficult to sustain.
The First Lady, Remi Tinubu made the comments while discussing the Federal Government’s efforts to support vulnerable Nigerians through grants and empowerment initiatives.
According to her, the administration has continued to provide financial assistance aimed at helping individuals establish small businesses and improve their livelihoods.
Speaking about entrepreneurship opportunities available to low-income earners, Remi Tinubu stressed that not every business requires substantial startup capital.
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“To start akara business doesn’t take a lot of money. To start roasting corn or kuli-kuli doesn’t take much,” she said.
She explained that many beneficiaries received grants rather than loans, allowing them to establish businesses without the burden of repayment.
“We didn’t give them a loan, we gave them a grant. We have encouraged Nigerians as best as we could. I also gave to several others,” she stated.
The First Lady further disclosed that more than ₦3 billion has been spent on programmes designed to empower economically disadvantaged Nigerians.
According to her, the funds have been used to provide financial support to individuals across different communities as part of broader efforts to encourage entrepreneurship and reduce poverty.
Government grants are generally intended to provide recipients with capital that does not require repayment, unlike conventional business loans that often attract interest and repayment schedules.
The initiative, according to the First Lady, aims to create opportunities for more Nigerians to become financially independent through self-employment and small-scale enterprise.
However, shortly after her comments circulated online, they triggered widespread reactions from Nigerians on social media platform X.
Many users argued that while small businesses such as akara frying, roasted corn sales and kuli-kuli production may require relatively modest startup funds, the broader economic environment presents significant challenges.
Some commenters pointed to rising inflation, increasing food prices, high transportation costs and fluctuating fuel prices as factors affecting the profitability of small businesses.
Others argued that access to affordable capital is only one aspect of running a successful enterprise, noting that stable electricity, affordable raw materials and strong consumer purchasing power are equally important.
Several users also questioned whether the amount required to establish even a modest roadside food business remains as low as suggested, given current market prices for cooking oil, beans, charcoal, maize and other essential inputs.
Despite the criticism, some Nigerians defended the First Lady’s comments.
Supporters argued that many successful entrepreneurs started with relatively small businesses before gradually expanding over time.
They maintained that grants remain one of the most effective ways of supporting low-income individuals because recipients are not burdened with loan repayments during the early stages of their businesses.
The discussion has also reignited broader conversations about economic empowerment programmes in Nigeria and how government interventions can best support entrepreneurship.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) continue to play a vital role in Nigeria’s economy by providing employment opportunities and contributing to local economic development.
Successive governments have introduced various grant and empowerment schemes aimed at encouraging business ownership, particularly among women and young people.
However, concerns about implementation, accessibility and long-term sustainability have often dominated public discussions surrounding such programmes.
Remi Tinubu’s remarks therefore come at a time when many Nigerians continue to seek practical solutions to rising living costs and unemployment.
Although opinions remain divided over her comments, the conversation has once again highlighted the challenges facing small business owners in Africa’s largest economy.
For many Nigerians, entrepreneurship remains one of the few available pathways to financial independence, despite the difficult operating environment.
Whether through government grants, private investment or personal savings, thousands of Nigerians continue to establish small businesses every year in the hope of building sustainable livelihoods.
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As reactions continue to pour in online, the debate surrounding Remi Tinubu’s comments reflects broader questions about poverty reduction, entrepreneurship and the effectiveness of government empowerment programmes.
While supporters believe her message encourages self-reliance and enterprise, critics insist that meaningful economic reforms and improved business conditions are equally necessary to ensure that small businesses can survive and grow.
The discussion is likely to continue as Nigerians weigh the realities of starting a business against the country’s prevailing economic challenges and assess the impact of ongoing government empowerment initiatives.
