Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has challenged some of Africa’s biggest music stars, including Burna Boy, Davido and Asake, to channel more of their wealth into charitable causes, saying their success should inspire hope and create opportunities for the less privileged.
Speaking on Saturday at the launch of the National Community Food Bank Programme in Lokoja, Kogi State, Tinubu appealed to leading entertainers to establish charitable foundations that would provide support for vulnerable Nigerians and complement government efforts to fight poverty.
The First Lady pointed to Senegalese-American singer Akon as an example of a celebrity who has used his success to improve the lives of others through philanthropy.
“I want to appeal to our young ones in the entertainment industry,” she said. “We want to see Burna Boy, Asake, Davido and others with one foundation or another helping the poor with their money.”
Tinubu stressed that enjoying wealth and luxury is not wrong, but said successful individuals also have a responsibility to give back to society.
“Good cars are good. A Maybach is good, a Rolls-Royce is good, but still, you can help,” she said.
The First Lady also defended her earlier remarks encouraging women to embrace small-scale businesses such as frying akara, roasting corn and producing kuli-kuli. The comments, made in June, generated widespread public debate, with critics arguing that they did not reflect the economic hardship facing many Nigerians.
Responding to the criticism, Tinubu said her message was about empowering grassroots entrepreneurs rather than limiting women to a particular trade. She explained that the Renewed Hope Initiative supports a wide range of small business owners, including traders who sell pepper, vegetables, okra, melon and other everyday food items.
According to her, helping small-scale entrepreneurs expand their businesses can improve household incomes, create jobs and reduce the pressure on government social intervention programmes.
To illustrate the impact of such support, Tinubu recalled the story of a university graduate in Abuja who reportedly turned to selling akara after failing to secure formal employment. She said assistance was later provided to help him expand the business, and he now employs 12 workers.
Her remarks have renewed conversations about the role of wealthy celebrities in addressing poverty and promoting community development, with many Nigerians expected to debate how influential public figures can contribute more directly to improving lives beyond the entertainment industry.
