Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called on some of the country’s biggest Afrobeats stars, including Davido, Burna Boy and Asake, to establish charitable foundations that will support vulnerable Nigerians, saying the government cannot tackle poverty alone.
Speaking at the launch of the National Community Food Bank in Kogi State, the First Lady urged successful entertainers to channel part of their wealth into initiatives that improve the lives of struggling families and low-income earners across the country.
Mrs Tinubu pointed to Senegalese-American music star Akon as an example of a global entertainer who has consistently used his success to fund humanitarian projects and community development.
“I want to appeal to our young ones in the entertainment industry. I’ve mentioned it before, and I will use Akon, a music icon who does a lot of great charity work. The Burna Boys of this world, Asake, all of them, Davido. We want to see you with one foundation or the other, helping the poor with your money,” she said.
While acknowledging that celebrities deserve to enjoy the rewards of their success, the First Lady stressed that wealth also comes with a responsibility to give back to society.
“Good cars are good; a Maybach is good. Rolls Royce is good, but still you can help. The burden on the government is huge,” she added, encouraging support for petty traders such as pepper sellers, vegetable vendors, melon sellers, okro sellers, akara and kulikuli producers.
Mrs Tinubu also urged Nigerians, especially young graduates, to embrace legitimate means of earning a living regardless of the nature of the job. She recounted the story of a graduate in Abuja who began selling akara after failing to secure employment and later expanded the business after receiving financial support.
According to her, the graduate now employs 12 people, demonstrating that small businesses can grow into sustainable ventures with the right encouragement and assistance.
The appeal comes just weeks after the First Lady’s earlier comments encouraging petty trading generated widespread reactions online. Many Nigerians argued that the remarks did not reflect the country’s economic realities. She later clarified that her comments were intended to highlight the Federal Government’s empowerment initiatives for small-scale traders and insisted that the programmes would continue.
Her latest remarks have widened the conversation, shifting attention to the role wealthy entertainers and other successful Nigerians can play in complementing government efforts to reduce poverty and support vulnerable communities.
