Businessman Isaac Fayose has criticised First Lady Oluremi Tinubu over her call for wealthy Nigerian musicians to play a greater role in addressing poverty through charitable foundations.
Speaking during an event in Kogi State, the First Lady urged top Afrobeats stars, including Davido, Burna Boy and Asake, to establish foundations to support vulnerable Nigerians.
According to Mrs. Tinubu, while luxury cars such as Maybachs and Rolls-Royces are desirable, successful entertainers should also invest in initiatives that assist traders and low-income earners, stressing that the government cannot shoulder the burden of poverty alleviation alone.
She cited Senegalese-American singer Akon as an example of an entertainer known for his charitable activities and encouraged Nigerian artistes to emulate such efforts.
Reacting in a video shared on X, businessman Isaac Fayose, younger brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, disagreed with the First Lady’s position.
Fayose argued that the government should first demonstrate fiscal responsibility before asking private citizens to take on greater responsibility for addressing poverty.
He questioned why Mrs. Tinubu had previously urged state governors to provide brand-new vehicles for APC women leaders, saying the funds used for such purchases could instead have been directed toward assisting struggling Nigerians.
“I disagree with you, ma,” Fayose said in the video, maintaining that government resources should be prioritised for public welfare before appealing to entertainers to expand their charitable contributions.
His comments have added to the public debate over the respective roles of government and private individuals in tackling poverty in Nigeria.