Presidency Defends First Lady Over Akara & Kulikuli Business Comments.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, has defended First Lady Oluremi Tinubu following widespread criticism of her recent comments encouraging low-income Nigerians to explore small-scale businesses as a way to cope with economic challenges.

Mrs. Tinubu had come under heavy online criticism after advising citizens to consider micro-enterprises such as selling akara (bean cakes), roasting corn, and producing kuli-kuli (peanut snacks) as viable sources of income during difficult financial times.

Her remarks sparked debate across social media, with critics arguing that the advice failed to reflect the scale of economic hardship facing many households.

In response, Dare said the backlash misrepresented the intent behind the First Lady’s comments, insisting that her message was rooted in ideas of self-reliance, micro-enterprise development, and the dignity of informal labour.

Speaking on a recent podcast, he emphasized that Nigeria’s informal sector remains a key pillar of the country’s economic resilience, employing millions and sustaining livelihoods across regions.

“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,” he said.

To illustrate his point, Dare shared a personal story about his upbringing, noting that his mother was a petty trader whose earnings supported his education.

“Look at me. Wherever I am today, my mother sold akara. Wherever I am today, 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 said.

He questioned the criticism directed at such livelihood choices, adding that small-scale trading remains a legitimate starting point for economic advancement.

“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,” he added.