‘My mother sold akara to train me’ — Sunday Dare defends First Lady remark

The Presidency has defended comments by Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, encouraging Nigerians to engage in small-scale businesses such as selling akara (bean cakes) and roasted corn.

Speaking on the Mic-On podcast, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, said he personally sold akara and bananas for his mother while growing up.

His remarks followed criticism of the First Lady’s comments, with some Nigerians arguing that she should first establish such businesses for members of her own family.

Responding to the backlash, Dare said there was nothing wrong with engaging in small businesses, noting that his mother’s petty trading helped fund his education.

“My mother sold akara, bananas and oranges in Jos, Plateau State, and through this, they were able to train me. There’s nothing wrong with that,” he said.

He added that Nigeria’s informal sector remains a key driver of the economy, with countless small-scale entrepreneurs contributing significantly through businesses such as selling akara and kuli-kuli.

According to Dare, critics had misunderstood the First Lady’s message.

“You must not miss the First Lady’s point. Her point is that whatever it is, try and do something, have some level of entrepreneurial skill,” he said.