Former Senator Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central, has stepped forward to defend First Lady Oluremi Tinubu following the intense public backlash surrounding her recent comments on small-scale entrepreneurship.
The controversy was ignited when the First Lady suggested that struggling Nigerians might consider engaging in small-scale businesses, specifically mentioning the sale of “akara,” roasted corn, and “kuli-kuli” as viable means to generate income.
The remark triggered a divided response across the country.
While some citizens praised her for promoting self-reliance, many critics labeled the suggestion as out of touch and insensitive to the current economic hardships faced by millions of Nigerians.
In a post shared on his verified X account on Monday, Sani urged the public to look past this singular statement and evaluate the First Lady based on her broader history of humanitarian and public service.
He argued that her philanthropic efforts deserve significant recognition in the national discourse.
Sani wrote, “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.”
The former lawmaker emphasized that public discourse should be grounded in objective analysis rather than isolated controversies.
He concluded his defense by calling for a balanced perspective, stating, “Be fair, use facts and figures and Just compare her outings with that of her recent predecessors.”
