There have been mixed responses following the statements of Senator Oluremi Tinubu who encouraged Nigerians to think of small business ventures such as akara, roasted corn, and kulikuli making because many Nigerians have claimed that survival businesses cannot act as substitutes for proper economic policies.
This statement was made by the First Lady in the viral video where she talked about how grants issued under Renewed Hope Agenda have affected people as the people received money without repayment.
“To start roasting corn, somebody even said about grinding; you see, they’re saying kulikuli doesn’t even take much.
“We did not give them a loan; we gave them grants. So we’ve encouraged Nigerians as best as we could.
“What is within our hands, I’ve given and I will keep giving, and those are the things we’ve done,” she said
Akara is a commonly consumed dish in Nigeria that is prepared from peeled beans, which are grinded to form batter mixed with onions, pepper, salt, and other spices and then deep-fried till it turns brown. Roasted corn is harvested from fresh corn by removing the sack leave from the body of the corn.
She went on to say that her office had been instrumental in supporting interventions in healthcare, agriculture, education, and social investment, stating that the government was determined to improve the living conditions of Nigerians.
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“We are still open, still wanting to do more. The narrative has really changed. Has changed to challenge the average man. Whereas the average man is supposed to have hope.
“So I like the idea that Mr. President said this is the Renewed Hope Agenda. We have to renew our hope,” she added.
Reactions Trails
Her statement, however, led to much controversy on X where many people were wondering whether the encouragement of small food enterprises was enough to solve the economic problems of the country.
One such user who expressed his doubts about the above statement was Prisca from X.
“An average Nigerian woman needs functional electricity, affordable transport, and food prices that don’t double every quarter, not a one off grant to fry beancake.
“This isn’t empowerment. It’s a distraction from governance failure, dressed up as a women’s initiative.”
Another user, Nhyira Premium, raised fears over development priorities in the country.
“Make everyone start kulikuli and Akara business.
“Africa is just a different place on this planet where our leaders will travel outside and see how Nations are being developed but return and make decisions that can’t benefit the Nation.”
According to Obadaih Nyangwarimam Ali, an X user, government assistance should be more than just providing grants to individuals.
“The First Lady says start a small business. But a business needs more than a grant. It needs customers, power, roads, security, and a stable economy. The government is not providing any of that. The advice is not wrong; it is just incomplete.”
Another user with the name, Officialfitfaq asked if the companies were still affordable enough to start in the existing economic environment.
Does she know how much a bag of beans, gas, or a bottle of oil costs right now? Even that ‘cheap’ Akara business is entering luxury tier.”