Comments made by Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, encouraging Nigerians to consider small businesses like frying akara, roasting corn and selling local snacks have continued to generate mixed reactions across the country, with many criticizing the statement on social media.
Shortly after the comment surfaced online, several Nigerians described the advice as insensitive, arguing that citizens are already facing serious economic hardship, rising inflation and widespread unemployment. However, beyond the criticism, many appear to be missing the bigger economic message behind the statement.
The reality remains that small businesses have continued to play a major role in helping millions of Nigerians survive difficult economic conditions, while also serving as one of the biggest sources of job creation across the country.
For many years, Nigeria’s informal business sector has remained one of the strongest parts of the economy. Millions of people earn daily income through roadside trading, food vending, tailoring, mechanics, transportation services and other small-scale businesses started with limited capital.
Although some people may look down on businesses like akara selling, history has shown that many successful entrepreneurs started from small ventures before growing into owners of larger businesses employing several workers.
Economic growth is not driven by government jobs alone. Across many countries, small and medium businesses help reduce unemployment by creating opportunities for people at the local level while supporting community development.
Several developed economies continue to rely heavily on small businesses in agriculture, food production, retail trade and manufacturing because these businesses create employment faster and help money circulate within communities.
The First Lady’s statement should not be misunderstood as telling Nigerians to stop demanding better economic policies from government. Instead, the message highlights the fact that while waiting for larger economic improvements, people can still create opportunities through entrepreneurship.
One challenge Nigeria continues to face is that many young graduates spend years searching for white-collar jobs while ignoring smaller business opportunities they believe are beneath their qualifications, even though many successful business owners started from humble beginnings.
There is dignity in every honest business, regardless of size. Businesses like akara production not only feed families but also support farmers, traders, transporters and other people connected to the supply chain.
Nigeria’s unemployment problem remains too large for government alone to solve, making entrepreneurship one of the most practical solutions for reducing poverty and increasing economic participation.
Rather than mocking conversations around small businesses, Nigerians may need to begin changing the mindset that success only comes through office jobs because in reality, many businesses people ignore today often grow into major enterprises tomorrow.