Published by Osasere E.
Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has issued a passionate appeal to some of the country's biggest music stars, including Burna Boy, Davido and Asake, urging them to channel part of their wealth into charitable foundations to help struggling Nigerians rather than focusing solely on luxury lifestyles. Speaking on Saturday, 11 July 2026, during the launch of the National Community Food Bank Programme in Lokoja, Kogi State, the First Lady defended her earlier controversial remarks encouraging women to embrace petty trading, while also calling on the nation's entertainment industry to use its influence and resources for philanthropy.
Addressing an audience in Lokoja, Mrs Tinubu said Nigeria is a great country with many wealthy people, but priorities must shift towards helping those in need. She specifically called out Afrobeats superstars, urging them to follow the example of Senegalese-American singer Akon, who is known for his extensive charitable work. "I want to appeal to our young ones in the entertainment industry. I've mentioned it before, and I will use Akon, a music icon who does a lot of great charity work, as an example. The Burna Boys of this world, the Asakes, all of them, Davido, we want to see you with one foundation or the other, helping the poor with your money," she said.
Acknowledging that there is nothing wrong with owning luxury vehicles, the First Lady said celebrities should also invest in helping those at the grassroots. "Good cars are good, a Maybach is good, a Rolls-Royce is good, but still, you can help. The burden on the government is huge. You can still help. There are pepper sellers, there are vegetable sellers, there are okra sellers, melon sellers, akara sellers. Akara is delic'We Equipped Him, Now He Has 12 Workers.
Mrs Tinubu also used the occasion to defend her earlier advice encouraging women to embrace small-scale businesses such as frying akara, roasting corn, and processing kuli-kuli, a comment that had drawn criticism from some Nigerians who felt it trivialised the struggles of women. She stood by her remarks, insisting that the Renewed Hope Initiative's grassroots empowerment scheme is making a real difference. To illustrate her point, she shared the story of a graduate in Abuja who turned to selling akara after failing to find a job. "There was once I read an article about a young graduate who said he didn't get a job, and he said he sells akara because he couldn't get a job. He's in Abuja. We approached him, I didn't put my name to it, and we equipped him more. He now has 12 workers working under him, and he's doing very, very well," she said.
The First Lady announced that the Renewed Hope Initiative had donated ₦100 million to the First Lady of Kogi State and RHI coordinator to empower another 2,000 petty traders in the state with ₦50,000 each to recapitalise their existing businesses. She also commended the beneficiaries for their efforts, noting that she was pleased to see women bringing trays of food items to welcome her, a sign that the message of empowerment was being received.
Mrs Tinubu's appeal comes weeks after her initial comments on petty trading sparked a heated debate across social media and public discourse. At a presidential press corps dinner in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu had playfully referred to his wife as "Iya Alakara" (Mother of Akara), a nickname that has since gained traction online. The First Lady, however, has remained unapologetic about her stance, insisting that the criticism would not stop the programme.
She reiterated that Nigeria has an abundance of wealthy people, but priorities have been misplaced. "Nigeria is a great country. We have a lot of wealthy people. But our priorities are different. And I think it's high time we started helping those who need help in the country," she said. She urged Nigerians not to despise legitimate means of earning a living, arguing that small-scale businesses are a viable pathway out of poverty.
The First Lady's call has generated mixed reactions. While some have applauded her for encouraging celebrities to give back to society, others have questioned the timing and the manner in which the appeal was made, given that many entertainers already have established charitable initiatives. Davido, for instance, has previously made public donations to orphanages and supported various causes, while Burna Boy has also been involved in philanthropic activities. However, the First Lady's remarks have reignited discussions about the role of Nigeria's wealthy elite in tackling the country's deepening poverty crisis, with many arguing that the government, not celebrities, bears the primary responsibility for social welfare.
As Nigeria grapples with rising inflation, unemployment, and food insecurity, Mrs Tinubu's appeal underscores the government's recognition that it cannot single-handedly address the country's socio-economic challenges. The launch of the National Community Food Bank Programme is part of the Renewed Hope Initiative's broader strategy to combat hunger and empower vulnerable communities across the country. For now, the ball is in the court of Nigeria's music superstars, who must decide whether to heed the First Lady's call and establish foundations that could provide lasting support to millions of struggling Nigerians.
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