- Arise TV anchor Ayo Mario-Ese has criticises First Lady Remi Tinubu’s suggestion that poor Nigerians should venture into small businesses like frying akara and roasting corn.
ABUJA, NIGERIA — Ayo Mario-Ese, a media personality and anchor on Arise TV, criticised First Lady Remi Tinubu over her recent comments encouraging poor Nigerians to start small businesses such as frying akara, roasting corn and making kuli kuli to improve their economic conditions. A video of the First Lady’s remarks circulated widely on social media on Thursday.
According to reports, Mrs Tinubu made the comments while speaking with journalists and urged Nigerians, particularly women, to embrace small-scale businesses as a means of economic empowerment. The remarks quickly attracted reactions online, with many Nigerians sharing differing opinions on the advice.
Speaking during a television programme, Ayo Mario-Ese described the suggestion as insulting to Nigerian women. She questioned whether any member of the First Lady’s family or close associates had achieved financial success through the businesses she mentioned. She argued that in 2026, Nigerians expected broader economic opportunities and policies that could support women and small business owners.
The comments have added to ongoing discussions about the economic challenges facing many Nigerians, including rising living costs and unemployment. Small-scale businesses such as food vending and local snack production remain important sources of income for many households across the country, but critics argue that they do not address larger economic concerns.
The development means the First Lady’s comments are likely to remain part of public discussions on economic empowerment and government support for low-income Nigerians. It also highlights growing calls for policies that create wider economic opportunities and improve living conditions for vulnerable groups.
