First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Faces Backlash Over Akara and Kulikuli Business Advice
Nigerian First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has drawn widespread criticism for advising women to start small businesses such as frying akara and selling kulikuli, sparking online backlash and public debate.
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Nigerian First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has sparked a wave of public criticism after advising women to take up small-scale businesses such as frying akara and selling kulikuli. The remarks, delivered in a viral video, have ignited debate across social media and in national discourse.
According to Vanguard News, the controversy erupted last weekend when footage of Tinubu speaking alongside other women circulated widely online. In the video, she encouraged women to engage in cottage enterprises, specifically citing the sale of fried bean cakes (akara) and roasted groundnut snacks (kulikuli) as viable economic opportunities.
Daily Trust reported that the backlash has persisted for days, with many questioning the relevance and tone of the advice amid high inflation and widespread economic hardship. The newspaper noted that the reaction included AI-generated satirical images, underscoring the depth of public sentiment.
While the First Lady’s office has not issued an official statement, the discussion has amplified broader concerns about leadership’s connection to everyday realities. Critics argue the suggestion downplays structural economic challenges facing Nigerian women. Supporters, however, have not been quoted in the source material.
The incident remains a focal point of public conversation, with ongoing commentary in Nigerian media about leadership messaging and socioeconomic awareness.