The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, has defended First Lady Oluremi Tinubu following the online backlash over her advice to low-income Nigerians to venture into small-scale businesses such as selling akara, roasting corn, and making kuli-kuli.
Mrs. Tinubu came under heavy criticism after suggesting that Nigerians facing economic hardship should engage in low-capital micro-enterprises to improve their livelihoods.
Speaking on a recent podcast, Dare argued that critics had misunderstood the First Lady’s message. According to him, her remarks were rooted in the principles of self-reliance, entrepreneurship, and the dignity of labour.
He stressed that Nigeria’s informal sector remains the backbone of the country’s economy and continues to sustain millions of households.
“When you look at the informal sector of our country, its resilience continues to lift this economy. You find it predominantly everywhere, and also in the North, they’re also significant.”
To reinforce his point, Dare shared his personal story, revealing that his mother was a petty trader whose business financed his education.
“Look at me. Wherever I am today, my mother sold akara. Wherever I am today, my mother sold bananas. I carried bananas in a tray on my head to markets in Jos, Plateau State. My mother sold oranges, and through that, they were able to train me.
“What is wrong with that? If that was right 60 years ago, what is wrong with that now? Because it’s about what capital you have. When you grow these small businesses, you start small.”
