Mumuni Justifies Remi Tinubu’s “Akara” Remark: “50,000 Enough To Start”

Abayomi Nurain Mumuni, a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has denounced the criticism that followed First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s recent call for Nigerians to engage in small-scale enterprises.

According to reports, Tinubu faced strong criticism for encouraging Nigerians, especially women, to think about starting small businesses like frying and selling roasted maize and akara in order to enhance their standard of living.

In a statement released on Saturday and signed by his media assistant, Rasheed Abubakar, Mumuni expressed his opinion that the First Lady was misinterpreted.

He said that Tinubu’s message aimed to promote economic self-sufficiency among Nigerians, particularly women and low-income families, through low-startup-capital enterprises.

He stated, “I want to address recent misinterpretations surrounding the First Lady’s advocacy for informal business ventures, particularly in the production and sale of traditional food items like akara and kulili.”

Many Nigerians living below the poverty line, according to Mumuni, merely need modest financial assistance to start small companies that can produce steady revenue.

In actuality, some impoverished Nigerians can successfully launch a business with just a token. Some Nigerians believe that ₦50,000 or ₦100,000 is sufficient to launch a business and start turning a profit. The First Lady is referring to that group of individuals. He stated, “There is no need for needless criticism.”

Mumuni continued by saying that the Federal Government had implemented a number of initiatives to assist medium-sized and large-scale businesses in addition to promoting low-cap firms.

He claims that programs like the Bank of Industry intervention funds and financing windows, the Presidential Palliative Loan Program, the Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme, and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria support programs show the government’s dedication to empowering companies of all sizes.

He emphasized that the various programs serve to entrepreneurs with varying levels of funding needs, from small start-ups to established firms, and mentioned that many Nigerians had already benefited from the initiatives.

He claims that the First Lady’s remarks shouldn’t be seen as discounting the nation’s economic difficulties or restricting the ambitions of women.

“The First Lady’s remarks demonstrate a sincere concern for Nigerian women’s and families’ financial independence. Her focus on these endeavors is motivated by the practical fact that easily accessible, low-capital business options can give households immediate cash and food security.

“This is an acknowledgement of viable pathways that have demonstrably helped many families achieve basic sustenance, not a dismissal of women’s capabilities or potential,” he said.

He asked Nigerians to differentiate between constructive criticism and what he called misdirected rage.

“We need to differentiate between constructive criticism and unjustified rage.” While comments regarding the direction of policy are legitimate, it would be more fruitful to focus our combined efforts on tackling the serious issues confronting our country, such as pervasive insecurity, poverty, and hunger. These are still the important concerns that need immediate national attention and discussion, he stated.