President Bola Tinubu on Thursday drew attention at the inaugural Presidential Press Corps Dinner in Abuja after referring to the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as “Iya Alakara”—a Yoruba expression that means “mother of the akara seller” or “mama akara seller.”
The President made the remark while acknowledging guests at the event held at the State House Banquet Hall, where members of the Presidential Press Corps, senior government officials and other dignitaries gathered for the dinner.
Introducing those present, Tinubu said, “Gentlemen of the press, ladies and gentlemen, my dear wife, the First Lady, the Iya Alakara.”
The comment immediately attracted attention because it appeared to reference a recent viral statement by the First Lady that generated widespread debate across the country.
President Tinubu attended the event alongside his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, at the dinner organised in honour of journalists covering the Presidency.
Although the President made the remark in a light-hearted manner, it quickly revived public discussions surrounding the First Lady’s earlier comments on entrepreneurship and small businesses.
The expression “Iya Alakara” is a common Yoruba phrase used to describe a woman who sells akara, a popular local snack made from fried bean paste. In many communities, the term is associated with petty trading and small-scale businesses.
The phrase gained national attention in recent days after Senator Oluremi Tinubu urged Nigerian women to consider starting small businesses instead of remaining unemployed.
Speaking at a public event earlier, the First Lady encouraged women to embrace entrepreneurship, saying that businesses such as frying and selling akara could provide a source of income.
According to her, there is dignity in every honest means of livelihood, and small businesses have helped many families become financially independent.
Her remarks, however, sparked mixed reactions on social media and across the country.
While some Nigerians agreed with her message that entrepreneurship should be encouraged, others, particularly many young people, argued that the comments failed to reflect the harsh economic realities facing millions of Nigerians.
Some critics interpreted the statement as insensitive, especially at a time when many graduates and skilled workers are struggling to find well-paying jobs despite rising inflation, unemployment and the increasing cost of living.
Others defended the First Lady, saying her comments were intended to promote self-reliance rather than belittle anyone.
The debate continued for several days, with supporters and critics offering different interpretations of her message.
Against that background, President Tinubu’s decision to publicly refer to his wife as “Iya Alakara” was widely seen as a humorous reference to the controversy.
Although the President did not elaborate on the remark or directly mention the earlier debate, many observers interpreted it as an acknowledgement of the public attention generated by the First Lady’s statement.
Neither the Presidency nor the Office of the First Lady immediately issued any official explanation regarding the President’s choice of words.
The inaugural Presidential Press Corps Dinner was organised to celebrate journalists assigned to cover activities at the Presidential Villa and to strengthen engagement between the Presidency and the media.
The event brought together senior government officials, media executives and members of the State House Press Corps.
President Tinubu used the occasion to appreciate journalists for their work in reporting government activities and acknowledged the important role of the media in promoting democracy and keeping citizens informed.
The relationship between the government and the media has remained an important aspect of democratic governance, with journalists serving as a link between public institutions and the Nigerian people.
Thursday’s dinner provided an opportunity for informal interaction between senior government officials and journalists covering the Presidency.
However, it was the President’s reference to the First Lady as “Iya Alakara” that became one of the most talked-about moments of the evening.
The remark quickly circulated on social media, where users offered varying interpretations. Some viewed it as a playful attempt by the President to make light of the controversy surrounding his wife’s earlier comments, while others saw it as further drawing attention to an issue that had already generated widespread public debate.
The episode also reflects how comments made by public officials can quickly gain traction online and shape national conversations.
In recent years, speeches and off-the-cuff remarks by political leaders have frequently gone viral on social media, often prompting public discussion far beyond the events where they were originally made.