Nigerians question economic empowerment strategy after First Lady highlights small business grants under Renewed Hope Initiative

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has come under fire in Abuja after stating that grants provided through her Renewed Hope Initiative could enable Nigerians to start businesses such as frying akara, making kuli-kuli, and roasting corn. The comments were made public on Tuesday, drawing widespread attention online and sparking debate about the government’s approach to economic empowerment.

Mrs Tinubu, speaking on the impact of her initiative, emphasised that the programme aims to provide hope by giving out grants instead of loans to vulnerable Nigerians. “We’re trying to give hope. To start akara business doesn’t take a lot of money. To start roasting corn and kuli-kuli doesn’t take much. We didn’t give them a loan; we gave it to them as a grant,” the First Lady said.

She further explained that the Renewed Hope Initiative has been supporting Nigerians with direct grants and interventions across several sectors, including health, agriculture, education and ICT training. According to Mrs Tinubu, these efforts are intended to foster self-reliance among citizens facing economic challenges.

However, her remarks have generated mixed reactions on social media platforms, with many Nigerians questioning whether promoting small-scale street food businesses is a sufficient response to the country’s current economic difficulties. Some commentators argued that more comprehensive policies are needed to address unemployment and inflation pressures affecting millions across the country.

Despite the backlash, Mrs Tinubu maintained her position: “We’ve encouraged Nigerians as best as we could. What is within our hands, I have given and I keep giving.” As at press time, no official response had been issued from opposition parties regarding the statement. The ongoing conversation highlights growing public scrutiny over government interventions aimed at poverty reduction amid persistent economic hardship.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/remi-tinubu-under-fire-after-urging-nigerians-to-start-akara-kuli-kuli-and-roasted-corn-businesses-with-grants-see-video-2026062612213796723

Study urges Nigerian businesses to harness economic potential of displaced persons as viable workforce, not just aid recipients

A new report unveiled in Abuja on Wednesday has spotlighted Nigeria’s internally displaced persons (IDPs) as a major but overlooked economic force, urging businesses nationwide to recognise their commercial value. The study, titled ‘Hiding in Plain Sight: Africa’s $27 Billion Displacement Market Opportunity’, was launched by the Amahoro Coalition and estimates that Africa’s 43.1 million displaced people generate around $27 billion (about ₦12.6 trillion) annually.

According to the report, more than half of these displaced persons are already engaged in various economic activities across the continent, contributing significantly to sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, finance, entrepreneurship and supply chains. In Nigeria alone, IDPs represent a sizeable untapped workforce with the potential to drive national growth if given adequate access to opportunities and resources.

The report further projects that unlocking land access for displaced communities could add an extra $2.4 billion (₦1.1 trillion) in agricultural output across Africa. The Amahoro Coalition argued at the launch that Nigerian stakeholders—including government agencies, private sector investors and development partners—should move away from viewing IDPs and refugees solely as humanitarian beneficiaries and instead see them as commercially viable contributors who can boost productivity and innovation.

Speaking at the event, representatives of the coalition highlighted the importance of integrating IDPs into mainstream economic activities. They called for reforms that would allow easier access to land, credit facilities and job placements for displaced persons. “If we create pathways for IDPs to participate fully in economic life, we will not only improve their livelihoods but also unlock billions of naira in value creation,” a strategy custodian for partnerships at the coalition said during the presentation.

With Nigeria facing persistent internal displacement due to conflict and climate-related disasters—especially in North-East states—the report’s findings have renewed calls for inclusive policies that empower affected communities. Experts say that leveraging this labour pool could help address unemployment while boosting sectors like agriculture where manpower shortages persist.

The coalition urged policymakers at all levels to adopt evidence-based strategies from the report and work with local leaders to remove barriers limiting IDP participation in formal markets. It also encouraged corporate organisations to design products and services tailored to displaced populations’ needs.

As at press time, federal authorities had yet to issue an official response to the recommendations. However, humanitarian agencies welcomed the research as a “game-changer” for how displacement is understood within Nigeria’s economy.

Source: https://guardian.ng/news/nigerias-idps-hold-untapped-economic-potential-new-report-says/

China’s fibre broadband now downloads HD movies in seconds, while Nigerian operators still focus on expanding 5G and affordable data

China has rolled out the world’s first commercial 10G broadband network, offering download speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second (Gbps) in Hebei Province, a development that underscores Nigeria’s current struggles with affordable high-speed internet. The milestone was achieved by Chinese telecoms firms Huawei and China Unicom, who confirmed on Wednesday that the advanced fibre-optic infrastructure is already delivering real-world speeds close to 9,834 megabits per second (Mbps), upload rates above 1,000 Mbps, and latency as low as 3 milliseconds.

While China’s technology can reportedly download an entire HD film in under twenty seconds and power smart homes, AI applications, and ultra-fast cloud services, Nigeria remains some distance away from such capacity. According to industry data, major cities like Lagos and Abuja are still working to expand both 5G coverage and fibre broadband penetration, with most subscribers reliant on 4G networks and monthly data plans ranging from ₦5,000 to ₦20,000 for limited gigabytes.

Industry stakeholders say the launch of 10G in China is likely to influence global tech standards and eventually shape expectations in Nigeria. “With this kind of leap abroad, Nigerian tech workers and freelancers will need faster connections to remain competitive,” said telecoms analyst Adeyemi Ojo by phone. He warned that unless Nigeria accelerates infrastructure upgrades, local users may struggle as global internet platforms become more demanding.

At present, the main focus among Nigerian operators remains on extending reliable 5G access nationwide and making data more affordable. The Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) stated in a recent briefing that widespread deployment of ultra-high-speed fibre would require significant investment in urban centres before it could reach residential homes. “We are aware of these advancements overseas but our immediate priority is ensuring existing networks are stable and accessible for all Nigerians,” ALTON’s spokesperson Gbenga Adebayo said.

Experts believe that as international markets adopt technologies like China’s new network backbone, older equipment such as efficient routers and modems may become more affordable for African countries. However, until there is substantial investment in local digital infrastructure, ultra-fast connections like those now available in parts of China remain a long-term aspiration for most Nigerians.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/china-launches-10g-internet-how-nigeria-compares-2026062611455849353