President Bola Tinubu lightened the mood at the Presidential Press Corps Dinner in Abuja when he jokingly introduced his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as “Iya Alakara.” The remark, captured in a video shared by Aso Rock TV, drew laughter from the audience and was widely seen as a playful nod to the recent debate over the First Lady’s comments on petty trading.

Weeks earlier, Oluremi Tinubu had advised Nigerian women to embrace small‑scale businesses such as selling akara, roasted corn, and kuli‑kuli under the Renewed Hope Initiative’s empowerment programme. Her statement sparked criticism online, with many Nigerians arguing that it downplayed the severity of economic hardship.

Responding to the backlash, the First Lady clarified that the initiative was not limited to akara sellers but extended to a wide range of petty traders. She highlighted government support, including a ₦100 million donation to empower 2,000 traders in Jigawa State, and stressed that the programme aims to strengthen small businesses by providing financial resources for sustainability.

By jokingly calling her “Iya Alakara,” Tinubu appeared to acknowledge the controversy while turning it into a moment of levity, reinforcing the couple’s public image of resilience in the face of criticism.