A Nigerian akara vendor, Ayobami Ogunmoroti (popularly known as Ayo Alakara), has confirmed receiving financial support from the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, saying the assistance enabled him to expand his business from operating under a tree to owning a food kiosk.
Ogunmoroti made the disclosure in a video posted on his TikTok account on Tuesday, days after the First Lady referred to his story while defending her remarks encouraging Nigerians to embrace small-scale businesses.
The video also followed President Bola Tinubu’s light-hearted reference to the First Lady as “Iya Alakara” during the Presidential Press Corps Dinner at the State House in Abuja, amid public reactions to her comments on petty trading.
In the video, Ogunmoroti thanked the First Lady for the support, describing it as timely.
“I saw a trending video of our First Lady, Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu, where she said she empowered one university graduate who sells akara in Abuja.
“Yes, I received the money. The money came at the right time for me. In fact, I was frying akara under this tree before. But when I received the money, I was able to build this very befitting food kiosk for myself where I now sell akara today,” he said.
He added: “Thank you very much, ma. I cannot appreciate you enough. The money came at the right time for me.
“May God Almighty continue to support you, support your husband, and support your administration.”
The First Lady had earlier said her office quietly supported a university graduate selling akara in Abuja after learning about his business.
According to her, the financial assistance enabled him to expand his business and employ 12 workers.
