Sunday Dare says his mother sold akara, bananas and oranges to train him, insisting small businesses can grow into successful enterprises.
Presidential spokesperson Sunday Dare has defended First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s recent comments encouraging Nigerians to embrace small-scale entrepreneurship, saying his own upbringing demonstrates how such ventures can transform lives.
Speaking during an interview amid the backlash that followed the First Lady’s remarks on akara trading, Dare said his mother sold akara, bananas and oranges to support the family and finance his education. He argued that the First Lady’s message was about encouraging enterprise, regardless of how modest the starting point may be, insisting there was nothing wrong with beginning with a small business.
“You must not miss her point. Her point is that, whatever it is, try and do something. Have some level of entrepreneurial skill.
“Wherever I am today, my mother sold Akara. Wherever I am today, my mother sold bananas.
“I carry bananas on a tray in my head to markets in Jos, Plateau State. My mother sold oranges. And through that, they were able to train me.
“What is wrong with that? If that was right 60 years ago, what is wrong with that now? Because it’s about what capital you have.”
Dare maintained that successful businesses often begin on a small scale, urging critics to focus on the broader message of entrepreneurship rather than the specific example used by the First Lady.
“When you grow these small businesses, you start small. Go and read Dangote’s story. Go and read Dangote’s story, where he started from.
“He also started like a trader. So the point she is making is, whatever it is, be engaged in some kind of enterprise.”
The debate over the First Lady’s remarks has continued to divide public opinion, with many Nigerians questioning whether micro-enterprises can still thrive in the country’s current economic climate, marked by rising inflation and the increasing cost of doing business.
Meanwhile, an akara seller shared her experience with Dee One Comedian, saying she started her business with ₦12,000 and made a profit of ₦5,000 in one day.
“I do make up to 5,000 Naira out of the business.
“So the one I did today now, all my expenses was 12,000 Naira, but I was able to gain 5,000 Naira on top of it. So everything that I sold today was 17,000 Naira.
“If you give me 20,000 or 30,000, I can use it to move on with it.”
She added that an additional ₦30,000 would allow her to restart the business elsewhere and increase her earnings if she secured a location with higher customer traffic.
