Tinubu’s Aide Defends First Lady, Says “My Mother Sold Akara And Bananas” (Video)

According to Ireporter Online, the Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, has defended recent remarks made by First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, regarding the promotion of small-scale businesses such as akara frying, roasted corn, and kuli-kuli production, which require minimal startup capital.

The First Lady, in a video currently circulating online during an interaction with journalists, had explained that the administration’s empowerment strategy for Nigerians focuses on providing grants to support small businesses rather than loans. However, her comments triggered mixed reactions on social media, with critics describing them as insensitive and out of touch with the prevailing economic realities in the country.

Reacting during an interview on the Mic On podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, Dare said his own upbringing reflected the value of small-scale enterprise, disclosing that his mother sold bananas and oranges in Jos, Plateau State, while he also hawked the fruits in local markets during his childhood.

He maintained that Nigeria’s informal business sector remains a key driver of economic resilience, adding that the First Lady’s message was intended to encourage citizens to develop entrepreneurial skills rather than remain idle.

Dare further argued that there was nothing wrong with the statement, noting that his personal experience of being raised by a petty trader decades ago shaped his perspective on small businesses and their importance in nation-building.

According to him, “My mother sold akara and bananas. I carried bananas on trays on my head to the market in Jos. My mother sold oranges, and through this, they were able to train me.”

The remarks have continued to generate discussions online as the video of the interview circulates.