A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abayomi Nurain Mumuni, has defended the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, against criticism over her advice urging Nigerians to embrace small-scale businesses, insisting that her remarks were widely misunderstood and were intended to promote economic self-sufficiency, particularly among women and low-income families. ExecutiveBranch

His reaction followed widespread criticism after Senator Tinubu urged Nigerians, especially women, to consider engaging in petty businesses such as frying and selling akara and roasted corn to improve their livelihoods.

The remarks generated mixed reactions on social media, with critics describing them as insensitive and disconnected from the realities of rising inflation, the high cost of living and unemployment in the country.

However, in a statement issued yesterday and signed by his Media Aide, Rasheed Abubakar, Mumuni maintained that the First Lady’s advice was intended to encourage Nigerians to explore businesses requiring little start-up capital. Africans& Diaspora

“I wish to address recent misinterpretations surrounding the First Lady’s advocacy for informal business ventures, particularly in the production and sale of traditional food items such as akara and kulili,” he said.

According to Mumuni, many Nigerians living below the poverty line require only modest financial support to establish small businesses capable of generating sustainable income.

“The reality is that some poor Nigerians only need a token to start a business and get it right. For some Nigerians, N50,000 or N100,000 is enough to start a business and begin making profits.“

“Those are the category of people the First Lady is referring to. There is no need for unnecessary criticism,” he said.

Mumuni further argued that, beyond encouraging low-capital businesses, the Federal Government had introduced several programmes to support medium- and large-scale enterprises.

He listed the Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme, the Presidential Palliative Loan Programme, the Bank of Industry intervention funds and financing windows, as well as support programmes of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, as evidence of the government’s commitment to empowering businesses of different sizes.

He noted that many Nigerians had already benefited from the interventions, stressing that the programmes cater for entrepreneurs with varying levels of capital needs, from small start-ups to established businesses.

The APC chieftain said the First Lady’s remarks should not be interpreted as limiting the aspirations of women or dismissing Nigeria’s economic challenges.

“The First Lady’s statement reflects a genuine concern for economic self-sufficiency among Nigerian women and families.“

“Her emphasis on these ventures stems from the practical reality that accessible, low-capital business opportunities can provide immediate income and food security for households.“

“This is not a dismissal of women’s capabilities or potential, but rather an acknowledgment of viable pathways that have demonstrably helped many families achieve basic sustenance,” he stated.

The APC chieftain, who is also a renowned security expert, urged Nigerians to distinguish between constructive criticism and what he described as misplaced anger.

While acknowledging that citizens have the right to express differing opinions on government policies, he argued that greater attention should be devoted to tackling the country’s pressing security and economic challenges.

“We must distinguish between constructive criticism and misplaced anger. While opinions on policy direction are valid, channeling our collective energy toward addressing the substantive challenges facing our nation, including widespread insecurity, poverty and hunger, would be more productive. These remain the critical issues requiring urgent national attention and discourse,” he said.

Mumuni also called on Nigerians to engage in solution-driven conversations that advance national development rather than create unnecessary controversies over well-intentioned initiatives.

“As a nation, we benefit when we engage in serious, solution-oriented conversations rather than unnecessary controversy over well-intentioned initiatives.“

“I urge Nigerians to examine statements within their full context and redirect our collective focus toward substantive policy discussions that address our most pressing national concerns,” he added.

He said his intervention was aimed at promoting national unity, encouraging constructive public discourse and ensuring that public conversations remained focused on practical solutions to Nigeria’s economic and security challenges.
By Adeola Badru
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