Oluremi Tinubu Clarifies Remarks on Petty Traders, Launches Community Food Bank Programme in North-West

Oluremi Tinubu Clarifies Remarks on Petty Traders, Launches Community Food Bank Programme in North-West

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has clarified her recent remarks on small-scale businesses, stressing that the Federal Government’s economic empowerment initiatives are designed to support a broad range of petty traders and not only akara sellers.

The First Lady made the clarification on Monday during her official visit to Hadejia, Jigawa State, where she inaugurated the National Community Food Bank Programme for the North-West and commissioned several infrastructure projects.

Responding to reactions that followed her earlier comments on petty businesses, Tinubu said the government’s intervention covers traders dealing in tomatoes, pepper, vegetables, roasted plantain (bole) and other small-scale enterprises.

She disclosed that the Federal Government had donated ₦100 million to Jigawa State to empower 2,000 women petty traders, with each beneficiary receiving ₦50,000 as a business recapitalisation grant.

“It’s not only akara sellers. We also have tomato sellers, bole sellers, pepper sellers and vegetable sellers in our markets. We will continue to empower them and strengthen their businesses so they can become more sustainable,” she said.

The First Lady maintained that criticism of her earlier remarks would not discourage the government from implementing programmes aimed at improving the livelihoods of vulnerable Nigerians.

“I know those who are benefiting appreciate it. We are not intimidated by misleading reports. We will continue moving forward to ensure our people are well cared for,” she added.

Tinubu also urged young Nigerians to explore opportunities beyond the oil sector, noting that the country possesses enormous agricultural and natural resources capable of driving economic growth and creating jobs.

She cited her recent visit to an orange orchard in Benue State as evidence of Nigeria’s untapped economic potential.

Speaking at the launch of the National Community Food Bank Programme, the First Lady described the initiative as a deliberate and sustainable response to food insecurity and malnutrition among vulnerable households across the country.

According to her, the programme aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by promoting food security, improving healthcare outcomes and strengthening social protection.

She commended Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi for his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of residents and praised the development projects inaugurated during her visit, including the Senator Oluremi Tinubu Road, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Road, Oluremi Tinubu Clinic and Dialysis Centre, and the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Academy in Hadejia.

The First Lady also expressed confidence in Jigawa State’s ability to successfully implement the food bank programme, noting that the pilot phase in Borno State had already enrolled 560 beneficiaries and provided support to 468 vulnerable children, pregnant women and nursing mothers within two months.

She called on individuals, corporate organisations, development partners and other stakeholders across the North-West to support the initiative to ensure its long-term success.

In his remarks, Governor Umar Namadi reaffirmed the commitment of North-West governors to strengthening food security and improving nutrition across the region.

He described the National Community Food Bank Programme as a timely intervention that reinforces government’s responsibility to ensure access to adequate food for vulnerable citizens.

The governor assured the First Lady that the North-West governors would provide the leadership and support required for the successful implementation of the programme across the region.

Highlighting Jigawa State’s achievements in nutrition, Namadi said the state’s home-grown MASAKI Nutrition Programme, implemented across 300 communities in its 30 state constituencies, screened about 245,000 children in 2024 and more than 382,000 children in 2025.

He added that the programme increased the number of children recovering from moderate acute malnutrition from about 19,000 to over 43,000 during the period.

The governor said local government councils would work closely with state agencies and community structures to ensure the Community Food Bank Programme becomes a sustainable platform for food assistance, nutrition support and social welfare across the North-West.

Oluremi Tinubu Clarifies Remarks on Petty Traders, Launches Community Food Bank Programme in North-West