My Mother Trained Me by Selling Akara, Bananas – Sunday Dare Defends First Lady Remi Tinubu

 

By Abdulahi Musa 

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, has defended First Lady Oluremi Tinubu following the criticism that greeted her advice encouraging Nigerians to embrace small-scale businesses such as selling akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli.

Speaking during an interview on the Mic On Podcast, Dare said the First Lady's message was about promoting entrepreneurship, self-reliance and the dignity of labour, rather than diminishing the economic challenges facing Nigerians.

The controversy began after the First Lady, during a Renewed Hope Initiative meeting in Abuja, said businesses like selling akara, roasting corn and making kuli-kuli require little capital to start. She explained that beneficiaries of the initiative receive grants—not loans—to establish such ventures. Her comments sparked widespread criticism on social media, with many Nigerians arguing that rising food prices, inflation and fuel costs have made even small businesses expensive to start.

Responding to the backlash, Dare recounted his personal upbringing, revealing that his mother supported the family through petty trading.

According to him, "Wherever I am today, my mother sold akara. My mother sold bananas. I carried bananas on my head to markets in Jos, Plateau State. My mother sold oranges, and through that, they were able to train me."

He argued that there is nothing shameful about small-scale businesses, noting that many Nigerian families have escaped poverty through such enterprises. He questioned why an economic survival model that helped previous generations should now be ridiculed.

Dare further stressed that the First Lady was not suggesting that Nigerians remain petty traders permanently but was encouraging people to develop entrepreneurial skills and start with whatever resources they have.

He maintained that the informal sector remains a major pillar of Nigeria's economy and urged Nigerians not to dismiss legitimate small businesses, insisting that many successful entrepreneurs started on a modest scale.