The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, has defended First Lady Oluremi Tinubu following criticism over her recent advice encouraging low-income Nigerians to embrace small-scale businesses such as selling akara, roasting corn and producing kuli-kuli.
The First Lady came under fire on social media after suggesting that Nigerians facing economic hardship could venture into low-capital businesses to earn a living.
Speaking on a recent podcast, Dare said many critics had misunderstood the essence of Mrs. Tinubu’s message, stressing that her comments were rooted in the values of self-reliance, entrepreneurship and the dignity of labour.
According to him, Nigeria’s informal sector remains a critical driver of the country’s economy and continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience despite prevailing economic challenges.
“When you look at the informal sector of our country, its resilience continues to lift this economy. You find it predominantly everywhere, and also in the North, they’re also significant,” he said.
To illustrate his point, Dare recounted his personal upbringing, revealing that his mother was a petty trader whose small business financed his education.
“Look at me. Wherever I am today, my mother sold akara. Wherever I am today, my mother sold bananas. I carried bananas in a tray on my head to markets in Jos, Plateau State. My mother sold oranges, and through that, they were able to train me.
“What is wrong with that? If that was right 60 years ago, what is wrong with that now? Because it’s about what capital you have. When you grow these small businesses, you start small,” he said.
Dare maintained that small businesses have long served as a pathway to economic advancement for many Nigerians and argued that encouraging entrepreneurship should not be viewed negatively, particularly in challenging economic times.