By SUNTV Global Channel | Africa News Coverage
June 27, 2026
The Yoruba socio-cultural group, Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá (Yoruba Union), has strongly criticised Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, over her recent remarks encouraging women to consider businesses such as selling akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli as a means of economic survival.
In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the group’s Convener, Olusola Badero, the organisation described the First Lady’s comments as insensitive to the realities facing millions of Nigerian women amid the country’s economic challenges.
The group challenged Senator Tinubu to “lead by example” by personally starting an akara business in Surulere, Lagos, while also calling on the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, to hawk the products at the Oju Elegba Under Bridge.
According to the Yoruba Union, Nigeria’s economic future should be driven by innovation, technology, industrialisation and entrepreneurship rather than encouraging roadside trading as a long-term solution to hardship.
The organisation argued that, given her position and influence, the First Lady should champion policies and programmes that provide women with sustainable economic opportunities, access to funding and business development support instead of promoting petty trading.
The group also questioned the government’s priorities, alleging that resources used for political activities and empowerment programmes for party supporters could instead be directed towards broader initiatives that benefit ordinary Nigerian women.
It further criticised what it described as the First Lady’s silence on several national security and humanitarian concerns, insisting that greater attention should be given to addressing the challenges affecting vulnerable Nigerians.
The statement also compared Nigeria with other countries where, according to the group, governments encourage women to excel in science, technology, innovation and other high-growth sectors rather than relying primarily on informal trading for economic survival.
The controversy follows Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s recent remarks encouraging Nigerians not to lose hope despite economic hardship, suggesting that businesses such as selling akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli require relatively small start-up capital and could provide a source of income.
The comments have continued to generate mixed reactions across the country, with supporters describing the advice as practical encouragement for entrepreneurship, while critics argue that government should focus on creating policies that expand employment opportunities, reduce poverty and improve living standards for Nigerians.
