President Bola Tinubu on Thursday referred to the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as “Iya Alakara”—a Yoruba expression meaning “mama akara seller”—during the inaugural Presidential Press Corps Dinner at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja.

While acknowledging dignitaries at the event, the President said:

“Gentlemen of the press, ladies and gentlemen, my dear wife, the First Lady, the Iya Alakara.”

Tinubu attended the event alongside his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, at the dinner hosted by the State House Press Corps.

The President’s remark appeared to reference a recent viral video in which the First Lady encouraged women to embrace small and medium-scale businesses, stating that starting a petty trade such as frying akara was a viable means of earning a living.

The comment generated mixed reactions on social media, with some Nigerians describing it as encouraging entrepreneurship, while others, particularly some youths, criticised it as insensitive amid the country’s economic challenges.