Abayomi Nurain Mumuni, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, has blasted criticisms of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s recent statement encouraging Nigerians to invest in small businesses.

Tinubu faced widespread criticism for encouraging Nigerians, particularly women, to consider starting small businesses like frying and selling akara and roasted maize to supplement their income.

Mumuni expressed his thoughts on the incident in a statement made on Saturday and signed by his Media Aide, Rasheed Abubakar, claiming that the First Lady was misinterpreted.

He contended that Tinubu’s message was designed to boost economic self-sufficiency among Nigerians, particularly women and low-income families, through enterprises with cheap start-up costs.

“I wish to address recent misinterpretations surrounding the First Lady’s advocacy for informal business ventures, particularly in the production and sale of traditional food items such as akara and kulili,” he stated.

Mumuni contended that many Nigerians living below the poverty line merely require little financial assistance to start small companies capable of creating long-term revenue.

“The reality is that some underprivileged Nigerians merely require a token to start and run a business successfully. Some Nigerians require only ₦50,000 or ₦100,000 to start and earn from their business. Those are the types of folks the First Lady is referring to. “There is no need for unnecessary criticism,” he stated.

Mumuni noted that, in addition to encouraging low-capital businesses, the Federal Government has implemented a number of programs to assist medium and large-scale enterprises.

According to him, initiatives such as the Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme, the Presidential Palliative Loan Programme, the Bank of Industry intervention funds and financing windows, and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria’s support programmes demonstrate the government’s commitment to empowering businesses of all sizes.

He stated that many Nigerians have already benefited from the initiatives, emphasizing that the various programmes cater to entrepreneurs with varying financing requirements, ranging from small start-ups to established firms.

According to him, the First Lady’s statement should not be taken as limiting women’s goals or discounting the country’s economic issues.

“The First Lady’s speech indicates real concern for economic self-sufficiency among Nigerian women and families. Her emphasis on these endeavors originates from the practical truth that readily available, low-cost business options can offer households with instant cash and food security.

“This is not a dismissal of women’s capabilities or potential, but rather an acknowledgment of viable pathways that have demonstrably helped many families achieve basic sustenance,” he said.

He asked Nigerians to distinguish between constructive criticism and what he called misguided wrath.

“We must discern between helpful criticism and irrational fury. While our opinions on policy direction are relevant, focusing our collective attention on addressing our country’s actual concerns, such as widespread instability, poverty, and hunger, would be more constructive. “These remain the critical issues that require urgent national attention and discourse,” he stated.

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