RismadarVoice Reporters, June 30, 2026
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has defended her recent comments on small-scale businesses, saying the Federal Government’s empowerment programmes go beyond akara sellers to include traders in tomatoes, pepper, vegetables and roasted plantain.
Speaking during the inauguration of a hall at the Emir of Hadejia’s Palace in Jigawa State, Mrs Tinubu said the Federal Government had provided ₦100 million to empower 2,000 petty traders in the state.
She explained that each beneficiary would receive ₦50,000 to recapitalise their businesses and insisted the programme is aimed at supporting small-scale entrepreneurs.
While responding to criticism over her earlier remarks, the First Lady said the government would not be distracted by what she described as wrong reports, adding that it remains committed to improving the livelihoods of Nigerians.
Mrs Tinubu also urged young Nigerians to explore the country’s abundant natural resources beyond oil, saying Nigeria has enormous untapped economic potential.
