A Nigerian akara vendor, Ayobami Ogunmoroti, popularly known as Ayo Alakara, has confirmed receiving financial support from First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, saying the intervention helped him expand his business from operating under a tree to owning a food kiosk.
Ogunmoroti made the disclosure in a video posted on his TikTok page on Tuesday, days after the First Lady cited his story while defending her remarks encouraging Nigerians to embrace small-scale businesses.
The video also comes after President Bola Tinubu jokingly referred to the First Lady as “Iya Alakara” during the Presidential Press Corps Dinner at the State House, Abuja, following public reactions to her comments about petty trading.
Addressing the controversy, Ogunmoroti thanked the First Lady for the support, saying it came at a critical time in his business.
“I saw a trending video of our First Lady, Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu, where she said she empowered one university graduate who sells akara in Abuja.
“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,” he said.
He added, “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.”
The First Lady had earlier said her office quietly supported a university graduate selling akara in Abuja after learning about his business.
According to her, the intervention enabled him to employ 12 workers.
“There was once I read an article about a young graduate who said he didn’t get a job. He said he sells akara because he couldn’t get a job, and he’s in Abuja.
“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,” she had said.
Beyond acknowledging the support, Ogunmoroti urged fellow akara sellers to adopt safer food packaging practices.
“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.
“Akara is one of the most delicious African traditional delicacies. Akara is not poor. Akara is rich in nutrition. Akara can be packaged. Akara can be branded.”
Ogunmoroti is a graduate of Political Science Education from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
In a 2024 interview with The PUNCH, the vendor said he ventured into the akara business during his National Youth Service Corps after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted his income.
He later relocated to Abuja, where he rebranded his business as “Akara Ayo”, introducing branded packaging and delivery services.
He has also spoken publicly about using his education to differentiate his business and challenge stereotypes associated with roadside food vending.
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