President Bola Tinubu on Thursday drew attention during an event at the State House in Abuja after referring to Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as “Iya Alakara,” a Yoruba expression that translates to “mama akara seller.”
The remark was made during the inaugural Presidential Press Corps Dinner held at the State House Banquet Hall.
While addressing journalists, government officials, and invited guests at the dinner, Tinubu acknowledged his wife in a light-hearted manner that immediately caught public attention.
“Gentlemen of the press, ladies and gentlemen, my dear wife, the First Lady, the Iya Alakara.”
The President delivered the remark while speaking before attendees at the event hosted by the State House Press Corps.
Also present at the dinner was the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, alongside other senior government officials and media executives.
The comment has since generated reactions online, with many Nigerians linking it to a recent viral statement made by the First Lady.
This online medium reports that Senator Oluremi Tinubu had recently urged Nigerian women, particularly young women, to embrace entrepreneurship and small-scale businesses as a pathway to financial stability.
During her remarks at the time, she suggested that starting a small business, including frying and selling akara, could serve as a practical means of earning a living.
Her statement quickly went viral across social media platforms and sparked widespread debate.
While some Nigerians defended her position, saying she was encouraging hard work and self-reliance, others—especially young Nigerians—criticised the comment.
