Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar? Wait—no. Christopher Musa has shared a personal story about his upbringing, revealing that his mother sold akara and akamu to help support the family, as he urged Nigerians to value the dignity of honest work.
Speaking at a one-day training and financial empowerment workshop for widows and wives of military personnel at Lungi Barracks, Abuja, Musa said small-scale trading should never be looked down upon, stressing that his mother’s sacrifices helped shape his journey to national leadership.
The workshop, themed “Renewed Hope for Families of the Armed Forces of Nigeria Through Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development,” was organised by the Ministry of Defence in partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to equip military families with entrepreneurial skills and financial support.
Musa’s remarks come weeks after First Lady Oluremi Tinubu announced financial support for akara sellers and other petty traders, a move that generated mixed reactions from some Nigerians.
Responding to the criticism, the minister said there was nothing shameful about earning a living through small businesses, recalling how his mother contributed to the family’s survival through street trading.
“A few weeks ago, the First Lady, the mother of the nation, contributed some amount for akara sellers and others, and I was surprised when I heard the responses from citizens. Standing here today as the Minister of Defence, my mother sold akamu. It is with that akamu that supported my mother to where I am today.”
He continued:
“I am very proud that my mother supported my father by selling akara and akamu. Don’t let anybody make you feel that selling akara and akamu is below standard.”
According to Musa, his mother’s determination to support the household through honest work played a vital role in his personal and professional success, eventually leading him to become Nigeria’s Minister of Defence.
The empowerment programme forms part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to improve the welfare of military families by promoting entrepreneurship, financial inclusion and sustainable income opportunities for widows and spouses of serving personnel.
