Published: Sunday, July 12, 2026
By SUNTV Global Channel
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called on some of the country’s biggest music stars, including Davido, Burna Boy and Asake, to channel part of their wealth into charitable initiatives aimed at improving the lives of poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
Speaking at an event focused on social welfare and entrepreneurship, the First Lady said that while celebrities have every right to enjoy the rewards of their success, they also have a responsibility to give back to society.
She urged the award-winning artistes to unite under a common foundation dedicated to supporting disadvantaged Nigerians and reducing the burden on government.
“I want to appeal to our young people in this country. Burna Boy, Asake and Davido, we want to see you come together under one foundation to help the poor with your money,” Tinubu said.
“The Maybachs and Rolls-Royces are good, but you can still help. The burden on the government is huge.”
The First Lady stressed that philanthropy should go hand in hand with wealth, insisting that luxurious lifestyles should not overshadow the need to uplift less privileged citizens.
To illustrate the impact of charitable interventions, Tinubu recounted the story of a university graduate in Abuja who resorted to selling akara after failing to secure employment.
According to her, she quietly facilitated financial support for the young entrepreneur without publicly attaching her name to the gesture. She revealed that the assistance enabled him to expand his business and create jobs for others.
“There was once I read an article about a young graduate who said he didn’t get a job. He said he sells akara because he couldn’t get a job. We approached him, but I didn’t put my name to it. We equipped him more. He now has 12 workers working under him, and he’s doing very, very well,” she said.
Tinubu also pointed to Senegalese-American singer Akon as an example of a successful entertainer who has invested significantly in humanitarian projects across Africa.
She encouraged Nigerian musicians to establish foundations and embark on charitable programmes that would provide support for struggling Nigerians.
“I will use Akon, a music icon, who does a lot of great charity work. Then the Burna Boys of this world, Asake, all of them, Davido. We want to see you with one foundation or the other, helping the poor with your money,” she added.
The First Lady further urged young Nigerians to embrace entrepreneurship, emphasizing that there is dignity in every legitimate occupation, including small-scale trading.
“There are pepper sellers, vegetable sellers, okra sellers, melon sellers, akara and kuli-kuli sellers. Akara is delicious, I can tell you that,” she said.
Her remarks come amid ongoing discussions about wealth distribution, youth empowerment and the role of influential public figures in addressing poverty and economic hardship across Nigeria.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to bring you updates on government policies and national developments.
