According to Vanguard News on Friday, July 3, 2026, President Bola Tinubu on Thursday jokingly referred to First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu as “Iya Alakara” during the Presidential Press Corps Dinner at the State House in Abuja.
The remark, made while acknowledging dignitaries, drew laughter from journalists and other guests. It appeared to reference the recent public debate over the First Lady’s comments encouraging Nigerians to consider small-scale businesses.
Oluremi Tinubu had earlier urged women participating in the Renewed Hope Initiative’s economic empowerment programme to explore ventures such as selling akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli, saying they require relatively low start-up capital. Her remarks sparked criticism from some Nigerians, who argued that inflation and the rising cost of living have made even small businesses difficult to establish and sustain.
Responding to the criticism during the inauguration of the Abubakar Maje Haruna Hall at the Emir of Hadejia’s Palace in Jigawa State, the First Lady clarified that the programme supports a broad range of petty traders. She disclosed that the Federal Government provided ₦100 million to assist 2,000 small-scale traders in the state, including tomato, pepper, vegetable and roasted plantain sellers, to help expand their businesses and improve their livelihoods.
