RismadarVoice Reporters, July 3, 2026
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday jokingly referred to the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, as “Iya Alakara” (Mama Akara Seller) during the Presidential Press Corps Dinner at the State House in Abuja.
The light-hearted remark came while the President was acknowledging dignitaries present at the event.
Addressing the audience, Tinubu said, “Good evening, gentlemen of the press, ladies and gentlemen, my dear wife, the First Lady, Iya Alakara,” drawing laughter from guests at the dinner.
The nickname appeared to reference recent public reactions to comments made by the First Lady encouraging women to embrace small-scale businesses through the Renewed Hope Initiative’s empowerment programme.
Oluremi Tinubu had earlier advised women to consider ventures such as selling akara (bean cakes), roasted corn and kuli-kuli, noting that such businesses require relatively little start-up capital.
Her remarks sparked widespread debate on social media, with some critics calling them insensitive to the prevailing economic challenges many Nigerians face.
Responding to the criticism earlier this week during the inauguration of the Abubakar Maje Haruna Hall at the Emir of Hadejia’s Palace in Jigawa State, the First Lady clarified that the government’s empowerment programme extends beyond akara sellers.
She explained that beneficiaries also include traders dealing in tomatoes, peppers, vegetables, roasted plantain and other petty businesses.
According to her, the Federal Government had provided ₦100 million to the Jigawa State Government to support the empowerment of 2,000 petty traders in the state as part of the initiative.
