Ambassador-designate Reno Omokri has defended the First Lady’s remarks on roadside businesses, saying selling akara or roasted corn is more respectable than remaining unemployed.
With unemployment remaining one of Nigeria’s biggest economic challenges, conversations around self-employment continue to generate strong public reactions. Many Nigerians have turned to small businesses to survive difficult economic conditions, while others believe government policies should create more formal jobs. According to reports monitored by Valid9ja, ambassador-designate Reno Omokri has weighed in on the debate, saying there is dignity in running a roadside food business instead of remaining without a source of income.
Valid9ja gathered that Omokri made the remarks while reacting to comments previously made by Nigeria’s First Lady on small-scale businesses such as selling akara and roasted corn. Defending her position, he argued that there is nothing shameful about earning an honest living through petty trading or roadside food sales. According to him, owning a business, no matter how small, is a better option than staying unemployed and depending entirely on others for survival. He stressed that entrepreneurship has helped many Nigerians build successful careers from humble beginnings.
Omokri also pointed out that some of Nigeria’s biggest business owners started with small enterprises before expanding into larger ventures. He maintained that many roadside traders eventually grow their businesses into recognised brands through hard work, consistency and good customer service. Information obtained by Valid9ja shows that he encouraged young Nigerians to embrace opportunities that generate legitimate income instead of looking down on small businesses because of public perception. He argued that financial independence should be valued above social status, especially during a period of economic hardship.
His comments have sparked mixed reactions on social media. While some Nigerians agreed that every honest job deserves respect, others insisted that the focus should remain on creating more quality employment opportunities rather than encouraging roadside businesses as a long-term solution. Critics argued that many graduates deserve access to better-paying jobs that match their qualifications. However, supporters of Omokri’s position said entrepreneurship has become an important source of income for millions of Nigerians, especially as many continue to struggle in the country’s competitive labour market. The debate has once again highlighted the difficult choices many young people face while searching for financial stability.
The discussion matters because it reflects the reality facing many Nigerian families today. Rising living costs and limited job opportunities have forced many people to create their own means of survival through small businesses. Whether it is selling akara, roasted corn, fruits or other products, these ventures provide income for countless households across the country. At the same time, the conversation has renewed calls for stronger government policies that support both entrepreneurship and the creation of sustainable employment opportunities. Many observers believe that both approaches are necessary to reduce unemployment and improve the standard of living for ordinary Nigerians.
Reno Omokri’s comments have reopened an important national conversation about work, dignity and economic survival. There is no shame in earning an honest living through a small business, and many successful entrepreneurs started with very little. However, encouraging entrepreneurship should not replace efforts to create more quality jobs and improve the business environment. Nigeria’s economy will benefit most when citizens have both the freedom to build businesses and access to stable employment opportunities.