Remi Tinubu faces criticism from the Yoruba Union over her women empowerment remarks, with the group demanding innovation-driven policies instead of petty trading.
The Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá, has launched a strong criticism of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, over her recent remarks encouraging women to embrace small-scale businesses such as selling akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli.
According to the organisation, such advice falls short of addressing the economic realities confronting millions of Nigerian women and reflects a lack of understanding of modern economic development.
In a statement signed by the group’s Convener, Olusola Badero, and released through its Home Director, Princess Balogun, the union argued that the First Lady should be using her office to champion programmes that empower women through technology, innovation, industrialisation and entrepreneurship instead of encouraging roadside trading.
The organisation insisted that women across Nigeria deserve sustainable economic opportunities capable of lifting families out of poverty rather than recommendations centred on informal petty trading.
As part of its criticism, the group challenged Remi Tinubu to personally demonstrate confidence in the business model she recommended by selling akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli in the Surulere area of Lagos State.
The union also suggested that the Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, daughter of President Bola Tinubu, should hawk the same products beneath the Oju Elegba Bridge if such businesses truly represent meaningful empowerment for Nigerian women.
According to the organisation, the global economy has evolved beyond dependence on roadside businesses, with many countries investing heavily in digital innovation, manufacturing, research and technology-driven enterprises that create long-term employment opportunities.
The group argued that someone occupying the nation’s highest ceremonial office for women should instead be advocating access to grants, vocational training, digital skills, startup financing and industrial support capable of transforming the lives of women nationwide.
“It is very unfortunate that a woman who is the First Lady of a country will look down on her fellow women because she has the privilege of being in that position and thinks others are nothing,” Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá said.
The organisation further alleged that Remi Tinubu has benefited from a privileged lifestyle and therefore does not fully appreciate the daily hardships experienced by ordinary Nigerian women struggling with inflation, unemployment and declining purchasing power.
The group further stated that Oluremi Tinubu “started her life by enjoying freebies, living in luxury houses and enjoying luxuries with taxpayers’ money,” accusing her of speaking in a way that demeaned the average women.
Beyond its criticism of the First Lady’s comments, the Yoruba Union also questioned her priorities, arguing that more attention should be devoted to pressing national issues affecting vulnerable citizens.
The organisation cited the recent abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State as well as the reported kidnapping of women and children in Kwara State, saying these incidents deserved greater public attention and stronger intervention from influential public office holders.
According to the statement, rather than concentrating on these national concerns, the First Lady had convened the wives of Nigeria’s 36 state governors in Abuja while distributing luxury buses to women leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Why can’t she distribute such cars to the women she told to start akara business if she is really interested in elevating women across the country?” the statement queried.
The group maintained that genuine empowerment should include access to affordable loans, business development programmes, digital literacy, agricultural support, manufacturing opportunities and innovation hubs capable of helping women build lasting wealth instead of encouraging survival-based businesses.
It further described Remi Tinubu as “one of the worst First Ladies Nigeria would ever have in history,” insisting that her public comments demonstrated insensitivity to the hardships facing ordinary Nigerians.
“She can distribute buses and jeeps to APC women because of her husband’s presidential ambition, but told those who will stand in the rain and sun to vote for her to start kuli-kuli and akara business because they are children of nobody in the society,” the organisation said.
The union repeated its challenge, saying the First Lady should personally begin the akara business in Surulere while allowing the Iyaloja-General, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, to hawk the products beneath the Oju Elegba Bridge.
“For long these heartless people have taken Nigerians for granted. They treated people as if they are nothing. What moral and values is she teaching?” the statement asked.
Drawing comparisons with developments in advanced countries, the organisation argued that many First Ladies around the world actively encourage women to pursue careers in science, technology, innovation, engineering and other knowledge-driven sectors.
“While other world First Ladies are showcasing how their women are moving to space, creating innovative ideas, here in Nigeria, Remi Tinubu, the wife of President Bola Tinubu, is telling women to start akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli business,” Yoruba Union said.
"That is unacceptable in the 21st century and does not reflect the aspirations of Nigerian women."
The organisation concluded by urging the Federal Government and Remi Tinubu to support policies that promote industrial growth, digital entrepreneurship, innovation, technology-driven businesses and sustainable employment opportunities for women.
It maintained that Nigeria’s economic challenges require long-term solutions that equip women with modern skills and access to capital rather than encouraging outdated roadside trading as the primary means of economic survival.
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