First Lady says FG has disbursed N100m in grants to small traders, insists Nigeria offers many untapped economic opportunities.
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has defended her advice encouraging Nigerians to venture into low-capital businesses such as frying akara, roasting corn and producing kulikuli, following criticism from members of the public.
The First Lady had made the remarks while speaking to journalists in Abuja on June 25, drawing mixed reactions on social media, where many argued that young Nigerians should instead be encouraged to pursue technology-driven and higher-income ventures.
Responding to the criticism during an event in Jigawa State on Monday, Mrs Tinubu said the Federal Government has also been supporting small-scale traders with grants to help grow their businesses.
She disclosed that the government has disbursed N100 million in grants, with beneficiaries receiving N50,000 each to recapitalise businesses involving tomatoes, pepper, vegetables and roasted plantains.
Mrs Tinubu also urged Nigerian youths to look beyond crude oil and take advantage of the country’s abundant natural and economic resources to create sustainable livelihoods.
“Nigeria is a really blessed country. I’ve been travelling, and I pray that our young people will see the resources we have in this nation. We have not even gone to explore yet because we are thinking it’s oil. But there are so many things,” she said.
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