Presidential aide Sunday Dare has come under heavy criticism on social media after defending First Lady Oluremi Tinubu's advice encouraging Nigerians, particularly women, to embrace small-scale businesses such as frying and selling akara to improve their livelihoods.
Dare, while responding to critics of the First Lady's remarks, shared his personal story, revealing that his mother sold akara to fund his education while he hawked plantains on the streets of Jos during his childhood.
According to him, those humble beginnings shaped his life and demonstrated that hard work and small businesses can provide opportunities for upward mobility.
"My mother sold akara to fund my education. I hawked plantains in Jos," Dare said while defending the First Lady's position.
However, his remarks have generated widespread reactions online, with many Nigerians arguing that government officials should focus on implementing policies capable of creating jobs and improving economic opportunities rather than encouraging citizens to rely on informal businesses for survival.
Among the strongest reactions was a statement attributed to a social media user identified as "Sir Dickson," who criticized the presidential aide for referencing his family's past struggles as justification for present-day economic realities.
The critic wrote:
"In your mother's poverty, she sold akara to give you an education. You work with the Presidency in 2026, but your brain has atrophied from lack of use."
The statement continued:
"Instead of implementing policies that give the Nigerian child a better childhood than you had, you are asking people to fry akara in 2026 and return to your mother's poverty."
The criticism reflects growing public frustration over the country's economic challenges, with many Nigerians arguing that rising inflation, unemployment and the high cost of living require structural economic reforms rather than advice centered on subsistence businesses.
Supporters of the presidential aide, however, argued that Dare's comments were intended to highlight the dignity of honest labour and entrepreneurship, insisting there is nothing wrong with encouraging small businesses as a means of economic empowerment.
The debate has reignited broader conversations about the role of government in addressing Nigeria's economic difficulties, with many citizens calling for policies that stimulate job creation, industrial growth and improved social welfare.
Neither the Presidency nor the Office of the First Lady has officially responded to the latest wave of criticism at the time of filing this report.
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