The Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has defended the Federal Government's efforts to support small-scale businesses, stating that many entrepreneurial ventures can be started with minimal capital.
Speaking during an engagement on the government's empowerment initiatives, the First Lady said businesses such as selling akara (bean cakes), roasting corn, and producing kuli-kuli require relatively small investments, making them accessible to many Nigerians.
"To start Akara business doesn't take a lot of money. To start roasting corn and kuli-kuli doesn't take much. We didn't give them a loan, we gave them a grant. We have encouraged Nigerians as best as we could," she said.
Tinubu explained that the Federal Government's intervention programmes are designed to provide grants rather than loans, enabling beneficiaries to establish or expand small businesses without the burden of repayment.
She noted that the administration remains committed to promoting entrepreneurship, job creation, and economic self-reliance through various empowerment schemes targeted at vulnerable groups, women, and young people.
The First Lady's remarks have generated mixed reactions on social media, with some Nigerians supporting the emphasis on grassroots entrepreneurship, while others argued that prevailing economic conditions, including inflation and rising costs of raw materials, continue to pose significant challenges for small business owners.
The Federal Government has consistently maintained that its social investment and empowerment programmes are aimed at cushioning the effects of economic hardship while encouraging sustainable livelihoods across the country.
