“There Was Nothing Wrong With First Lady Remi Tinubu’s Akara Business Advice. We Are Just Too Sentimental” - Influencer GehGeh Defends First Lady

Nigerian influencer and financial commentator GehGeh has sparked fresh reactions online after defending First Lady Oluremi Tinubu’s controversial advice encouraging Nigerians to embrace small businesses while waiting for better opportunities.

The financial commentator shared his perspective during an appearance on the Echoo Room podcast, arguing that many Nigerians had misunderstood the message behind the First Lady’s comments. According to GehGeh, the advice was simply about encouraging people to make use of whatever opportunities are available to them instead of waiting indefinitely for a bigger breakthrough.

“If you really pay attention to wetin she dey talk, yes. She dey try encourage Nigerians say, you, the little thing wey be say you fit get, pending wetin the big one come, na just the whole idea of everything,” he said.

GehGeh suggested that Nigerians were being overly emotional about the advice, particularly because of the First Lady’s privileged background. He noted that many critics questioned why Nigerians should be encouraged to sell akara when the children of wealthy politicians may not have to do the same.

“Nigeria go say, ‘Why you go say make me go dey do akara, why your pikin no go do am?’ They forget say Tinubu pikin and you no be the same person.”

His comments come amid an ongoing debate about the First Lady’s remarks, with some Nigerians arguing that encouraging people to embrace small businesses is practical, while others believe that such advice overlooks the economic challenges facing ordinary citizens.

GehGeh also weighed in on the debate surrounding the word “olodo,” arguing that the term should not necessarily be interpreted as an insult because knowledge and expertise differ from one person to another. When asked whether he considered himself an “olodo,” the influencer responded:

“Yes, na. I be olodo, na.”

Explaining his position, GehGeh argued that everyone can be considered knowledgeable in some areas and inexperienced in others.

“This olodo of a thing, e no really mean anything, even you, you are a banker now, today, if they remove you from that banking, put you for another field now, you dey useless for that place.”

He further used musician YCee as an example, arguing that taking someone out of their area of expertise does not automatically make them knowledgeable in a completely different profession.

GehGeh’s comments have since sparked conversations online, with some Nigerians agreeing with his argument that people should be willing to start small while others maintain that government officials should focus on creating an environment where citizens can thrive rather than telling them to simply find alternative means of survival.