President Tinubu Calls First Lady ‘Iya Alakara’ Amid Debate Over Small Business Remarks

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday playfully referred to First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu as “Iya Alakara” (Mama Akara Seller) during the Presidential Press Corps Dinner at the State House in Abuja, drawing laughter from guests at the event. 

The light-hearted remark appeared to reference the recent public debate surrounding the First Lady’s comments on small-scale businesses and economic empowerment. 

Greeting those present, Tinubu said: “Good evening, gentlemen of the press, ladies and gentlemen, my dear wife, the First Lady, Iya Alakara.”
The nickname appeared to be a playful reference to the public debate sparked by the First Lady’s recent comments encouraging women to embrace small businesses.

Speaking earlier under the Renewed Hope Initiative empowerment programme, Oluremi Tinubu had urged women to consider ventures such as selling akara, roasted maize and kuli-kuli, saying they required only modest start-up capital.

Her remarks generated mixed reactions online, with some Nigerians arguing that they failed to reflect the severity of the country’s economic difficulties and the struggles faced by many households.

Responding to the criticism this week, the First Lady explained that her comments had been misunderstood. She stressed that the Federal Government’s empowerment efforts extend well beyond akara sellers and include a wide range of small-scale traders.