Dare Defends Remi Tinubu’s Call for Small Businesses

Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, has defended First Lady Remi Tinubu’s suggestion that Nigerians, particularly the unemployed, should embrace small-scale businesses as a means of livelihood, saying her remarks were widely misunderstood.

Speaking on the Mic-On podcast, Dare said the First Lady’s advice encouraging citizens to engage in petty trading such as selling akara, kuli-kuli and roasted corn was not meant to demean anyone but to promote self-reliance and entrepreneurship.

His comments come amid growing public criticism of the First Lady’s statement, with some Nigerians arguing that such suggestions fail to address deeper economic challenges and rising unemployment across the country.

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Dare, however, maintained that there is dignity in small businesses, stressing that informal sector activities remain a critical pillar of Nigeria’s economy. He noted that many successful individuals began from similar humble ventures.

“My mother sold akara, bananas and oranges in Jos, Plateau State, and through this, they were able to train me. There’s nothing wrong with that,” he said, citing his personal background as an example of how petty trading can support education and upward mobility.

He urged Nigerians to change their perception of informal jobs, describing the sector as resilient and vital, especially in cushioning the effects of economic hardship. According to him, roadside traders and small-scale entrepreneurs are present across the country and contribute significantly to daily economic activity.

“When you look at the informal sector of our country, its resilience continues to ease this economy. It’s because of these small-scale entrepreneurs — those that sell akara and kuli-kuli. You find them predominantly everywhere, and also in the North. They are very significant,” Dare added.

The presidential aide emphasized that the First Lady’s core message was about encouraging initiative and discouraging idleness, rather than prescribing a one-size-fits-all solution to unemployment.

“Her point is that whatever it is, try and do something, have some level of entrepreneurial skill,” he said.

Despite the clarification, reactions have continued to trail the initial remarks, reflecting broader concerns about job creation and economic opportunities. Analysts say the debate highlights the tension between promoting grassroots enterprise and addressing structural issues affecting employment nationwide.

Dare reiterated the administration’s commitment to supporting economic growth, urging Nigerians to leverage available opportunities while broader reforms take shape.