First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has called on Nigerians to remain optimistic despite the country’s economic challenges, urging citizens to embrace small-scale businesses that require little capital as a means of earning a livelihood.

Speaking on efforts to empower ordinary Nigerians, Mrs. Tinubu said small-scale businesses such as selling akara (fried bean cakes), roasted corn, groundnuts and kulikuli require little capital to start, making them viable sources of income for many Nigerians.

“We’re trying to give hope, and to start an akara business doesn’t take a lot of money. The same applies to roasting corn. Somebody even mentioned groundnuts, and as you can see, kulikuli also doesn’t require much capital,” she said.

The First Lady explained that her office has supported such businesses through grants rather than loans, making it easier for beneficiaries to establish and grow their ventures.

“We didn’t give them a loan; we gave them grants. We encourage Nigerians in every way we can. Whatever is within our capacity, I have given and I will continue to give,” she said.

Mrs. Tinubu also highlighted several health and social intervention programmes supported by her office. She said ₦2 billion had been committed to tuberculosis treatment, ₦1 billion to the breast cancer initiative, and ₦500 million to efforts aimed at tackling malnutrition.

The First Lady further outlined her office’s interventions in agriculture, social investment and education, including scholarship schemes, ICT training and other empowerment programmes. According to her, the Tinubu administration remains committed to supporting and funding additional initiatives that will improve the welfare and livelihoods of Nigerians.

Mrs. Tinubu also linked her message to the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the administration is committed to restoring optimism and improving the lives of Nigerians.

“The average Nigerian is supposed to have hope. I like the idea that Mr. President called it the Renewed Hope Agenda because we have to renew our hope, and that’s the message I want to pass on to Nigerians,” she stated.