How First Lady’s support helped transform my Akara business - Man

A Nigerian akara vendor, Ayobami Ogunmoroti, popularly known as Ayo Alakara, has confirmed receiving financial assistance from Nigeria's First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu. Ogunmoroti stated that the support was instrumental in transforming his business, allowing him to move from selling under a tree to operating a dedicated food kiosk.

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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

His confirmation came via a TikTok video posted days after the First Lady referenced his story to defend her remarks encouraging Nigerians to engage in small-scale businesses. The vendor expressed deep gratitude, noting the funds arrived at a critical juncture for his business. "May God Almighty continue to support you, support your husband, and support your administration," he said.

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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.

Ogunmoroti's experience aligns with comments made by the First Lady, who said her office quietly supported a university graduate selling akara in Abuja. She had mentioned that this intervention enabled the vendor to employ 12 workers. Ogunmoroti, a graduate of Political Science Education, shared his journey, emphasizing how the support facilitated the construction of his current befitting food kiosk.

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We approached him, but I didn’t put my name to it. We equipped him more. He now has 12 workers working under him, and he’s doing very, very well

Beyond acknowledging the assistance, Ogunmoroti urged fellow akara sellers to adopt safer food packaging practices, advocating against the use of nylon for hot akara due to potential health risks. He highlighted akara as a nutritious and rich African delicacy that can be professionally packaged and branded.

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I want to use this opportunity to admonish my co-akara sellers in Nigeria to stop the act of using nylon to sell hot akara. It can endanger the health of our esteemed customers.