Presidential aide Sunday Dare has defended First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s advice encouraging Nigerians to embrace small-scale entrepreneurship, saying there is dignity in starting with modest businesses.
Speaking during an interview, Dare said the First Lady’s message was simply to encourage Nigerians to engage in productive ventures, irrespective of how small they may appear. He noted that the informal sector remains a major contributor to Nigeria’s economy.
“When you look at the informal sector of our country, its resilience continues to lift this economy. It’s also because of these small-scale entrepreneurs, those that sell akara. You find them predominantly everywhere, including in the North. They are also significant,” he said.
According to him, the essence of the First Lady’s remarks was to encourage Nigerians to develop entrepreneurial skills and make use of available opportunities.
“Our point is that whatever it is, try and do something. Have some level of entrepreneurial skill,” Dare added.
Recalling his upbringing, the presidential aide said his mother sold akara, bananas and oranges to support the family, while he hawked bananas in markets in Jos, Plateau State.
“Look at me. Wherever I am today, my mother sold akara. My mother sold bananas. I carried bananas on a tray on 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?” he said.
Dare further argued that many successful entrepreneurs started with small businesses, citing businessman Aliko Dangote as an example.
“It’s about the capital you have. When you grow these small businesses, you start small. Go and read Dangote’s story. He also started like a trader,” he said.
His comments come amid public reactions to the First Lady’s advice urging Nigerians to consider small-scale businesses as a means of livelihood.
