“The burden on the government is huge; you can still help.”
First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has appealed to leading Afrobeats artists—including Damini “Burna Boy” Ogulu, David “Davido” Adeleke, and Ahmed “Asake” Ololade—to increase their support for the country’s less privileged citizens.
“The burden on the government is huge; you can still help,” Mrs Tinubu stated, noting that music stars have the means to make a significant impact. She added that this support could directly assist those engaged in micro-enterprises, such as selling peppers, vegetables, and traditional foodstuffs.
Addressing the public reaction to her previous comments on the informal economy, the First Lady reiterated the importance of valuing honest labour. She recounted the success of a young graduate in Abuja who, unable to find formal employment, began selling akara (bean cakes). After receiving additional equipment through a support programme, his business expanded to support 12 employees. “Once, I read an article about a young graduate who said he didn’t get a job… he now has 12 workers working under him. And he’s doing very, very well,” she said.
During the event, Mrs Tinubu announced a fresh phase of the ‘Renewed Hope’ initiative. A donation of ₦100 million has been made to the office of the First Lady of Kogi State to provide ₦50,000 grants to 2,000 small-scale traders. The initiative aims to support these entrepreneurs in recapitalising their businesses and improving their economic independence.
