Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu has defended her recent comments about supporting women running akara and roasted corn businesses, saying the Federal Government’s empowerment programme extends to many other small-scale traders.

Speaking on Monday during the inauguration of the Abubakar Maje Haruna Hall at the Emir of Hadejia’s Palace in Jigawa State, Tinubu said beneficiaries of the initiative also include traders selling tomatoes, pepper, vegetables and roasted plantain, popularly known as bole.

Her comments came after she faced criticism on social media over earlier remarks highlighting akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli businesses as viable sources of income for women amid Nigeria’s economic hardship.

“It’s not only akara. We also have tomato sellers. We have bole, and those selling pepper and vegetables in the market. We’ll continue to empower them and add to their resources so that their trade can really be sustainable,” she said.

According to the First Lady, the Federal Government has provided ₦100 million to the Jigawa State government to support 2,000 petty traders, with each beneficiary receiving ₦50,000 to recapitalise their businesses.

Tinubu said the government would not be discouraged by criticism of the programme.

“I know all those people who are affected, they do appreciate it. And we are not intimidated by all those wrong reports. But we are forging ahead and making sure that our people are well cared for,” she said.

She also encouraged young Nigerians to embrace agriculture, saying the country has enormous untapped opportunities beyond the oil sector. She cited an orange orchard she recently visited in Benue State as an example of the sector’s potential.