Remarks by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu on small-scale businesses ignite national debate over graduate unemployment, entrepreneurship and government’s economic priorities.
By Bassey Ekpo – July 2, 2026
Dateline: ABUJA, Nigeria — Fresh controversy has greeted comments by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu encouraging beneficiaries of a federal empowerment programme to consider small-scale businesses such as selling akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli, with the Obidient Movement arguing that Nigeria’s growing population of university graduates deserves opportunities that reflect their education, skills and aspirations.
The remarks, which have generated intense debate across political circles and social media, have once again brought the country’s worsening youth unemployment crisis and economic policy direction into national focus.
While supporters of the First Lady describe her comments as practical encouragement for entrepreneurship and self-reliance, critics insist that government should prioritise policies capable of creating high-value jobs rather than encouraging graduates to settle for subsistence enterprises.
Obidient Movement Criticises Remarks
Speaking during an interview on ARISE Television’s Prime Time, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, said the organisation was not opposed to small businesses or entrepreneurship but objected to what it described as lowering the aspirations of educated Nigerians.
According to Tanko, years of investment in tertiary education should translate into meaningful employment opportunities within an economy capable of utilising graduates’ knowledge and professional competencies.
He argued that asking university graduates to embrace petty trading as a primary solution to unemployment reflects the severity of Nigeria’s economic challenges rather than a sustainable employment strategy.
Tanko maintained that every honest occupation deserves respect but stressed that graduates should not be forced by economic hardship to abandon career ambitions because of limited opportunities.
Call for Job Creation and Industrial Growth
The Obidient Movement urged government to focus on expanding the productive sectors of the economy through industrialisation, innovation, investment promotion and stronger support for entrepreneurs capable of generating employment at scale.
According to Tanko, millions of Nigerian youths remain unemployed or underemployed despite possessing qualifications that could contribute significantly to national development if properly harnessed.
He argued that sustainable economic growth requires deliberate investment in industries that create skilled jobs rather than relying solely on informal micro-enterprises as a response to unemployment.
What the First Lady Said
The debate followed remarks made by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu after the second-quarter meeting of the Renewed Hope Initiative with wives of state governors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Explaining the objectives of the empowerment programme, the First Lady said beneficiaries received grants—not loans—to establish businesses requiring relatively modest start-up capital.
She cited ventures such as selling akara, roasting corn and producing kuli-kuli as examples of businesses that could be started with limited financial resources.
According to her, the initiative is designed to provide hope and economic opportunities for beneficiaries by supporting income-generating activities without imposing repayment obligations.
Mixed Public Reactions
The First Lady’s comments quickly generated divergent reactions across the country.
Critics argued that the statement illustrated the growing disconnect between political leaders and the economic realities confronting millions of Nigerian graduates struggling to secure professional employment.
Some commentators questioned whether encouraging graduates to engage in petty trading aligns with the country’s investment in higher education and human capital development.
Others, however, defended the remarks, insisting that entrepreneurship remains a legitimate pathway to financial independence and that countless Nigerian families have been sustained through small businesses.
Supporters further argued that many successful entrepreneurs began with modest enterprises before expanding into larger ventures.
Presidency Defends First Lady
Responding to the criticism, the Presidency defended the First Lady’s comments.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, maintained that there is dignity in honest labour regardless of its scale.
Drawing from his personal experience, Dare recounted how his mother sold akara, bananas and oranges to support the family while he assisted her during his childhood in Jos, Plateau State.
He argued that entrepreneurship should not be viewed as inferior to salaried employment and remains an important component of economic resilience.
Graduate Unemployment Remains a National Challenge
The controversy has renewed broader conversations about Nigeria’s labour market and the widening gap between educational attainment and employment opportunities.
Labour economists have consistently warned that rising graduate unemployment, coupled with limited industrial expansion and slow private sector job creation, poses significant risks to economic growth and social stability.
Many analysts argue that while entrepreneurship programmes provide valuable support for self-employment, they cannot substitute for comprehensive policies aimed at strengthening manufacturing, technology, agriculture, creative industries and other sectors capable of generating large-scale skilled employment.
The debate also highlights longstanding concerns about underemployment, brain drain and the inability of many graduates to secure jobs aligned with their qualifications.
Balancing Entrepreneurship with Economic Policy
Policy experts note that entrepreneurship and formal employment should be viewed as complementary rather than competing strategies.
They argue that government empowerment initiatives can help individuals generate income, but broader structural reforms—including improved access to finance, stable electricity, infrastructure development, industrial incentives and investment-friendly policies—are necessary to create sustainable economic opportunities.
For many observers, the discussion reflects deeper questions about Nigeria’s economic direction and how best to harness the country’s youthful population for national development.
The differing reactions to the First Lady’s comments underscore the growing national conversation about youth unemployment, entrepreneurship and economic policy. While supporters see small-scale businesses as practical opportunities for self-reliance, critics argue that government must pursue broader reforms capable of creating quality jobs that match the skills and aspirations of Nigeria’s graduates. As economic pressures continue to shape public discourse, the challenge remains how to balance immediate livelihood support with long-term strategies for inclusive growth and sustainable employment.
Leave a Reply