Presidential aide Sunday Dare has defended First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s recent advice encouraging Nigerians to embrace small-scale businesses, saying there is dignity in starting with modest ventures.

Dare made the remarks while reflecting on his childhood, revealing that his mother sold akara, bananas and oranges to pay for his education, while he hawked plantains in markets in Jos, Plateau State.

Dare backs First Lady’s message

According to the presidential aide, the First Lady’s comments were intended to encourage Nigerians to develop entrepreneurial skills and take advantage of opportunities available to them.

“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.

He added that the message was not about limiting people’s ambitions but encouraging productivity.

“Our point is that whatever it is, try and do something. Have some level of entrepreneurial skill,” Dare stated.

Shares personal story

Dare said his family’s experience shows that small businesses can create opportunities and transform lives.

“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.

Cites Dangote’s journey

The presidential aide also pointed to the success story of businessman Aliko Dangote, saying many successful entrepreneurs began with small ventures.

“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,” Dare said.

His remarks come days after the First Lady faced mixed reactions over her suggestion that Nigerians could consider businesses such as frying akara or roasting corn as a means of earning a living.