Public policy expert and former chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Sam Amadi, has criticised First Lady Oluremi Tinubu over her remarks encouraging Nigerians to consider small businesses like selling akara, roasting corn, and making kuli-kuli as means of livelihood.
Reacting in a post on X on Friday, Sam Amadi argued that the First Lady’s comments reflected political strategy rather than a clear governance solution to the country’s economic challenges.
He suggested that while such political tactics may be effective in Nigeria’s political space, they do not necessarily amount to sound leadership or sustainable economic planning.
Amadi maintained that political skill and governance competence are not the same, warning that without stronger policies, poverty and hardship could worsen.
His comments came after the First Lady, while hosting the wives of the 36 state governors in Abuja, urged Nigerians to remain hopeful and disclosed that her office had been giving grants—not loans—to vulnerable citizens to help them start small businesses.
She also highlighted interventions she said she had personally supported in areas such as healthcare, agriculture, nutrition, education, ICT training, and social investment under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
BACKSTORY…
The criticism by Sam Amadi follows recent remarks by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, who encouraged Nigerians to explore small-scale businesses such as selling akara, roasting corn, and making kuli-kuli as part of efforts to survive the current economic hardship.
Her comments came while highlighting grant programmes and support initiatives aimed at helping vulnerable Nigerians start small businesses.
However, the remarks quickly sparked debate online, with critics arguing that such suggestions reflect a disconnect from the broader economic realities, including rising inflation, unemployment, and the high cost of living.
The backlash forms part of wider criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, particularly fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate policies, which many Nigerians say have worsened financial hardship.
Amadi’s reaction adds to the growing public conversation over whether government interventions are enough to address the country’s deeper economic challenges.
ALSO READ: Oluremi Tinubu faces backlash over comments on starting akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli businesses
