First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has responded to criticism of her remarks about supporting akara sellers, saying the Federal Government’s grant programme is intended to benefit a broad range of small-scale traders.
In a video shared on the Nigerian Television Authority’s (NTA) official X account on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, the First Lady spoke during an event at a traditional ruler’s palace in Jigawa State, where she explained the objective of the initiative.
Her remarks followed the distribution of ₦50,000 grants to petty traders in the state. Tinubu said the programme also targets traders selling tomatoes, boli, peppers, vegetables and other goods, stressing that the aim is to help small businesses remain sustainable.
“I know they have been talking that I said akara. It is not only akara; we also have tomato sellers and boli. And those selling pepper and vegetables for us in the market. We will continue to support them and add to their resources so that their trade can be really sustainable. That is what we are doing,” she said.
She added that the programme is designed to strengthen small-scale enterprises despite public criticism of the initiative.
