Nigerian singer Mr Real has sparked controversy after declaring that he would rather join banditry than engage in petty trading, in reaction to recent economic advice by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.
The “Legbegbe” crooner made the remark while responding to comments by the First Lady, who recently encouraged low-income Nigerians to consider small-scale businesses such as frying akara (bean cakes), roasting corn and producing kuli-kuli (groundnut cakes) as viable means of earning a living with little start-up capital.
Mrs. Tinubu had presented the businesses as examples of micro-enterprises that could help families generate income and improve their economic circumstances despite prevailing financial challenges.
Reacting to the advice, Mr Real dismissed the suggestion, saying he would rather resort to banditry than engage in selling akara or kuli-kuli.
His comment has since generated widespread reactions on social media, with many users criticising the statement as irresponsible, while others viewed it as an expression of frustration over the country’s economic situation.
The singer’s remarks come amid ongoing public debate over the First Lady’s comments, which have drawn mixed reactions from Nigerians. While some have described her advice as encouraging entrepreneurship and self-reliance, others argue that it fails to address the deeper economic challenges confronting many citizens.
Mr Real has yet to issue any further clarification regarding his statement.
