“Begins Akara, Roasted Corn & Kulikuli Businesses”: First Lady Urges Nigerians To Embrace Low-Capital Entrepreneurship

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called on Nigerians to remain optimistic despite the country’s prevailing economic challenges, urging citizens to embrace small-scale entrepreneurship as a practical pathway to financial independence and improved livelihoods.

Speaking while highlighting various empowerment initiatives undertaken through the Office of the First Lady, Mrs. Tinubu encouraged Nigerians to take advantage of businesses that require relatively low startup capital, noting that ventures such as selling akara (fried bean cakes), roasted corn, groundnuts, and kulikuli can provide sustainable sources of income.

According to the First Lady, many successful small businesses begin with modest investments, stressing that the government is committed to encouraging self-reliance and supporting citizens willing to engage in productive ventures.

“We’re trying to give hope, and to start an akara business doesn’t take a lot of money. To start roasting corn, somebody even mentioned selling groundnuts. You see, they are saying kulikuli doesn’t take much,” she said.

Mrs. Tinubu explained that several empowerment programmes facilitated by her office have been structured around grants rather than loans, enabling beneficiaries to establish or expand their businesses without the burden of repayment.

“We didn’t give them a loan; we gave it to them as a grant. So, we encourage Nigerians as best as we could. What is within our hands, I have given and I keep giving,” she stated.

The First Lady also outlined a number of humanitarian and healthcare interventions funded through her office, revealing that ₦2 billion had been committed to tuberculosis-related programmes, ₦1 billion allocated to breast cancer initiatives, and ₦500 million dedicated to combating malnutrition across the country.

Beyond healthcare, Mrs. Tinubu highlighted ongoing investments in agriculture, education, social intervention programmes, scholarships, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training, and youth empowerment initiatives aimed at improving the welfare and economic prospects of Nigerians.

She affirmed that the present administration remains committed to supporting additional programmes capable of positively impacting citizens’ lives, emphasizing that government intervention will continue to focus on initiatives that promote sustainable development and economic inclusion.

Reiterating the message behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the First Lady urged Nigerians not to lose faith in the nation’s future, expressing confidence that ongoing reforms and empowerment programmes would gradually improve living conditions and restore confidence among the populace.

“The average man is supposed to have hope. So, I like the idea that Mr. President said this is the Renewed Hope Agenda, and we have to renew our hope. That’s what I have to tell Nigerians,” Mrs. Tinubu said.

Her remarks come amid ongoing public discussions surrounding the nation’s economic realities, with the First Lady maintaining that entrepreneurship, targeted social interventions, and sustained government support remain key strategies for empowering citizens and fostering economic resilience.