The growing struggle of ordinary Nigerians to survive amid rising economic pressures has triggered fresh debate over the direction of the country’s leadership, following comments by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu encouraging citizens to explore small businesses such as akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli as ways of improving their livelihoods.
The comments, made while discussing empowerment efforts under the Renewed Hope Initiative, have generated strong reactions from Nigerians who argue that the suggestion reflects a disconnect between government officials and the harsh realities facing millions of citizens. The First Lady had stated that the initiative provides grants rather than loans and that small businesses such as akara and kuli-kuli require little capital to start. (Naija News)
For many critics, however, the issue goes beyond the examples of small businesses mentioned. They argue that the comments expose what they describe as a lack of understanding of the deeper economic crisis affecting Nigerians, including inflation, unemployment, declining purchasing power and the increasing difficulty of meeting basic needs. (Nairametrics)
The criticism is centred on the argument that Nigerians did not vote for a government whose major economic solution would be survival through petty trading, but one that promised structural reforms capable of creating jobs, expanding industries, improving productivity and lifting citizens out of poverty.
According to critics, encouraging citizens to sell akara, corn or kuli-kuli may provide temporary income for some individuals, but it does not address the fundamental challenges confronting the economy. They argue that a country with Nigeria’s human and natural resources should be discussing industrial development, mass employment opportunities, affordable energy, agricultural transformation and stronger support for small and medium enterprises beyond survival-level businesses.
The controversy has also raised questions about the credibility of government messaging. Some Nigerians believe the comments suggest that the administration has shifted from promising economic transformation to encouraging citizens to adapt to hardship. To them, the statement represents a failure to acknowledge the gap between political promises and the everyday experiences of ordinary Nigerians.
Critics argue that the phrase “Renewed Hope” was presented to Nigerians as a promise of improved living standards, economic recovery and better opportunities. They contend that recommending low-income survival ventures instead of presenting measurable solutions on job creation, inflation control and wealth generation weakens public confidence in the government’s economic agenda.
However, supporters of the First Lady’s position argue that small businesses remain an important part of Nigeria’s economy and that empowering citizens to become self-reliant should not be dismissed. They maintain that grants targeted at vulnerable Nigerians can help families generate income while larger economic reforms continue.
Despite this defence, the controversy highlights a wider national conversation: whether government empowerment programmes are designed to move citizens into sustainable prosperity or merely help them cope with economic hardship.
For many Nigerians, the expectation from leadership is not only assistance for survival but policies that create an environment where citizens can build productive businesses, secure meaningful employment and achieve a better standard of living.
The akara and kuli-kuli debate has therefore become a symbol of a larger question confronting the administration: whether the promises of renewed hope are translating into real improvements in the lives of ordinary citizens or whether Nigerians are being asked to adjust their expectations in the face of economic difficulties.
