Mumuni Defends Remi Tinubu, Says ₦50,000 Is Enough To Start An Akara Business

An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Abayomi Nurain Mumuni, has defended First Lady Oluremi Tinubu against the wave of criticism that followed her recent call for Nigerians to embrace small-scale businesses as a means of improving their livelihoods.

According to Ireporter Online, the First Lady had faced widespread backlash after encouraging Nigerians, particularly women, to explore low-capital ventures such as frying and selling akara and roasted corn as practical ways to generate income.

Reacting to the controversy in a statement issued on Saturday through his Media Aide, Rasheed Abubakar, Mumuni maintained that the First Lady’s remarks had been widely misunderstood. He explained that her message was aimed at promoting economic self-reliance among women and low-income households by highlighting businesses that require minimal startup capital.

Mumuni stated that many Nigerians struggling with poverty only need modest financial assistance to establish small businesses capable of providing sustainable income. He argued that for some individuals, an investment of ₦50,000 or ₦100,000 is sufficient to launch a profitable venture, insisting that this was the category of people the First Lady had in mind. He added that the criticism directed at her comments was unnecessary.

The APC chieftain further noted that the Federal Government has introduced several intervention programmes designed to support entrepreneurs at different levels. He cited initiatives including the Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme, the Presidential Palliative Loan Programme, financing opportunities provided by the Bank of Industry, and various support schemes by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

According to him, these programmes demonstrate the government’s commitment to empowering businesses ranging from small startups to established enterprises, with many Nigerians already benefiting from the interventions.

Mumuni also stressed that the First Lady’s comments should not be interpreted as limiting the ambitions of women or ignoring the country’s economic realities. Rather, he said her remarks reflected genuine concern for the economic well-being of Nigerian families, emphasizing that accessible, low-cost businesses can provide immediate income and improve household food security.

He concluded by urging Nigerians to focus on constructive engagement rather than misplaced criticism, adding that national attention should be directed toward addressing pressing issues such as insecurity, poverty and hunger, which he described as the country’s most urgent challenges.