Sam Amadi Criticizes Remi Tinubu’s “Akara Business” Comment, Warns Nigeria Will Continue to Stagnate

Sam Amadi, a public‑policy expert and former chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), criticised First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for urging Nigerians to pursue small‑scale enterprises such as selling akara, roasting corn and producing kulikuli as a source of income.

In a post on X on Friday, Amadi said the First Lady’s approach was driven by political calculation rather than sound governance.

“The First Lady, like her husband, @officialABAT is an astute politician. She knows what works best for Nigerian politics: give women party leaders brand new cars and give akara money to captive voters who will still vote you on the basis of inducement, ethnicity and religion. I applaud their dexterity,” he wrote.

He added that political skill does not automatically translate into effective governance.

“The only problem is that the competences for being an astute politician do not translate to competences to govern well. Nigeria will continue to stagnate and the poor will be poorer under this astuteness,” Amadi added.

Amadi’s comments came after the First Lady spoke to the wives of the 36 state governors in Abuja, urging Nigerians not to lose hope amid ongoing economic challenges.

Senator Tinubu said her office had been providing grants—not loans—to help vulnerable Nigerians start small businesses such as selling akara, roasting corn and producing kulikuli.

She also highlighted interventions she claimed to have personally funded in healthcare, nutrition, agriculture, education, ICT training and social investment, urging Nigerians to embrace hope under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.