The Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, has defended First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s recent empowerment programme for micro-traders, dismissing criticisms of the initiative as misguided and lacking an appreciation of the critical role played by Nigeria’s informal economy.
Olusegun, in a statement shared on Monday, argued that the backlash generated by the First Lady’s support for petty traders, including akara and kulikuli sellers, failed to recognise the importance of grassroots economic empowerment and overlooked the broader interventions carried out under the Renewed Hope Initiative.
Describing the criticism as a “performative circus of selective amnesia,” the presidential aide maintained that many commentators had ignored the extensive humanitarian and social investment programmes championed by the First Lady since the inception of the current administration.
According to him, the Renewed Hope Initiative has implemented interventions that extend beyond support for petty traders, covering healthcare, women’s economic empowerment, assistance for military widows and programmes targeted at persons living with disabilities.
Olusegun said the focus on micro-business owners reflects an understanding of the realities of Nigeria’s economy, where millions of citizens depend on small-scale enterprises for their daily livelihoods.
He argued that businesses operated by roadside traders, food vendors and market women form an essential part of the country’s economic structure and deserve targeted support to improve productivity and household incomes.
The presidential aide noted that traders such as akara sellers, kulikuli vendors and other small business operators contribute significantly to local commerce despite often having limited access to formal financial support.
According to him, empowering such entrepreneurs helps stimulate grassroots economic activities, reduce poverty and improve financial independence among vulnerable groups, particularly women.
He criticised those questioning the relevance of the initiative, insisting that their comments reflected a lack of understanding of the challenges confronting the informal sector and the importance of inclusive economic policies.
Olusegun maintained that sustainable national development requires deliberate investments in small businesses, which collectively employ millions of Nigerians and serve as a major source of income for low-income households.
He also rejected suggestions that the First Lady’s interventions were insignificant, arguing that meaningful empowerment should not be measured solely by the size of beneficiaries’ businesses but by the impact such support has on their livelihoods.
According to him, the Renewed Hope Initiative has consistently implemented programmes aimed at improving the welfare of vulnerable citizens across different sectors.
He listed healthcare interventions, economic support for women, assistance to military widows and programmes designed to improve the lives of persons living with disabilities as some of the areas where the initiative has made significant contributions.
Olusegun stressed that these interventions demonstrate a broader commitment to social inclusion and community development, contrary to the impression created by critics who have focused narrowly on recent empowerment activities.
He further argued that empowering micro-traders aligns with broader efforts to strengthen local economies by providing financial support to individuals whose businesses sustain families and communities.
The presidential aide urged Nigerians to assess government initiatives based on their overall impact rather than isolated narratives circulating on social media
He said constructive public discourse should acknowledge both the scale and diversity of programmes being implemented under the Renewed Hope Initiative instead of reducing them to symbolic gestures.
Olusegun maintained that supporting the informal sector remains a vital component of economic development, especially in a country where small and medium-scale enterprises account for a significant share of employment and commercial activities.
He expressed confidence that continued investment in grassroots entrepreneurship would contribute to poverty reduction, job creation and greater economic resilience across the country.
The defence comes amid ongoing public discussions surrounding the First Lady’s recent empowerment programme for micro-traders, with supporters describing the initiative as an effort to uplift vulnerable entrepreneurs, while critics have questioned its scope and overall impact.
Olusegun, however, insisted that the value of the programme lies in its ability to reach ordinary Nigerians whose daily businesses constitute an important pillar of the nation’s informal economy and whose economic survival depends on targeted support and inclusive development initiatives.
