Former lawmaker urges Nigerians to assess Oluremi Tinubu’s public service based on tangible interventions, not one controversial remark
Former lawmaker and human rights activist, Shehu Sani has defended Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, urging Nigerians to judge her public service record based on her humanitarian interventions rather than the controversy generated by her recent remarks encouraging small-scale entrepreneurship.
Sani made the appeal in a post on his verified X account on Monday, following widespread public criticism of the First Lady’s suggestion that Nigerians facing economic hardship could engage in low-capital businesses such as frying akara, roasting corn and selling kuli-kuli to earn a living.
The remarks sparked intense debate on social media, with critics describing them as insensitive to prevailing economic realities, while supporters argued that they promoted self-reliance and entrepreneurship.
Defending the First Lady, Sani said her contributions to humanitarian causes since assuming office alongside President Bola Tinubu in May 2023 have been substantial and should not be overshadowed by a single comment.
“The record of the First Lady as one who raised billions for the moribund National Library on her birthday, and financially supported nursing schools, cancer research, tuberculosis eradication, tertiary education, widows and orphans of fallen soldiers, victims of communal and terrorist violence in Plateau and Borno states, the elderly across the states, artists and even victims of tanker explosions, should ideally be assessed and appreciated beyond the Akara comment,” Sani wrote.
He added: “Be fair, use facts and figures and just compare her outings with that of her recent predecessors.”
Sani’s intervention comes amid sustained public discourse over the role of public officials in addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges, with many Nigerians expressing frustration over rising living costs and declining purchasing power.
Supporters of the First Lady have pointed to several interventions undertaken through the Renewed Hope Initiative, including financial support for healthcare, education, social welfare, agricultural empowerment, assistance to widows and vulnerable groups, as well as humanitarian relief for victims of disasters and violent conflicts.
According to publicly announced programmes, the initiative has also committed significant funding to tuberculosis control, breast cancer intervention, nutrition programmes and educational scholarships across the country.
The debate has continued to generate mixed reactions across political and social circles, reflecting broader public concerns over the nation’s economic situation. While critics insist that government officials should demonstrate greater sensitivity in their public comments, supporters maintain that encouraging entrepreneurship remains a practical response to economic hardship.
Sani, however, maintained that any objective assessment of the First Lady should consider her overall record of philanthropy and social interventions rather than focusing solely on one controversial statement.
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