AKARA, KULI-KULI, AND AGBÀDO: IS THIS THE DREAM FOR NIGERIAN YOUTHS?

By Omolola Talkstv

Recently, the First Lady of Nigeria encouraged Nigerian youths to consider small businesses such as selling akara, kuli-kuli, roasted corn, and other petty trades.

Since then, many people have defended her comments. Some argue that akara and eko are profitable businesses. Others reminded us that many successful entrepreneurs started small.

But permit me to ask:

In which part of the world does the First Lady of a nation tell its youths to survive by selling akara and kuli-kuli while millions are struggling under economic hardship?

Before anyone misunderstands me, let me be clear.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with selling akara.

There is nothing wrong with selling kuli-kuli, eko, roasted corn, zobo, or any honest business.

An honest hustle deserves dignity.

The woman fried akara at 5 a.m. deserves respect.

The young man selling roasted corn by the roadside deserves respect.

The woman selling eko to feed her children deserves respect.

This article is not about mocking small businesses.

It is about asking difficult questions.

THE REAL QUESTION

Should survival businesses become the national aspiration for millions of Nigerian youths?

Should graduates spend years in universities only to be told that selling akara is the government's answer to unemployment?

Should the children of the poor be encouraged to survive while the children of the powerful enjoy opportunities, quality education, healthcare, and connections?

This is where many of us have a problem.

GOVERNMENT HAS RESPONSIBILITIES

The duty of government is not merely to encourage citizens to hustle.

The government exists to create an environment where people can thrive.

The government should provide:

- Good roads.

- Stable electricity.

- Functional healthcare.

- Quality education.

Security.

- Affordable loans.

- Job opportunities.

- Economic stability.

- Support for businesses.

When these things exist, people can choose businesses because they want to, not because they have no alternative.

"I STARTED FROM ZERO"

This is one of the most common arguments.

"I started with nothing."

"I hawked."

"I sold pure water."

"I sold akara."

"I struggled, and I succeeded."

Those stories are beautiful and inspiring.

But let me ask a simple question:

If you were still running that same business in today's Nigeria, under this present economy, would that business survive?

Many businesses are closing.

Small businesses are struggling.

Inflation has reduced purchasing power.

Transportation costs have increased.

Electricity costs have increased.

Food prices continue to rise.

This conversation is not about laziness.

Nigerians are among the hardest-working people in the world.

The question is whether the system itself is working.

MY OWN STORY

Before anyone says I do not understand hustle, let me say this clearly: I have also hustled.

People from my town know me and can testify to that.

I started small.

I sold Bata school shoes, sandals, and slippers. One of my aunties later started giving me Ankara materials yard by yard to sell for her while keeping my own commission.

From there, I added drinks in bulk.

Later, I added provisions.

Even before all these, I used to do pre-orders for goods from China.

The palm oil business nko?

During palm oil season, I bought in bulk and stored it, only to resell later when prices increased.

That was also part of my hustle.

Did I do all these by myself?

Yes, I started with my little.

But I also sought help.

Family members helped.

Friends supported me.

People bought from me.

People trusted me.

People encouraged me.

And that is exactly the point.

This article is not about me or my personal story. The day is still coming when I will properly tell my story and mention individuals whose paths crossed with mine and who contributed to my journey. May God grant me long life and good health to do so.

However, I must ask:

Does every Nigerian have this kind of support?

Does every young person have an aunt who can provide goods?

Does everyone have family members who can help?

Does everyone have people who can patronize them?

The answer is no.

Many Nigerians are trying their best without support systems.

Many are struggling alone.

That is why we should not become selfish simply because our own story ended well.

What worked for us may not automatically work for everyone else.

Success stories should inspire people, not be used to dismiss the struggles of others.

NOT EVERYBODY HAS YOUR SUPPORT SYSTEM

Many people who succeeded had support.

A brother helped.

A mother contributed.

A cooperative society assisted.

A teacher encouraged.

A friend opened a door.

An opportunity came.

That support matters.

Unfortunately, many young Nigerians today have nobody.

Some graduate into unemployment.

Some can not afford transportation to job interviews.

Some are burdened by family responsibilities.

Some are simply trying to survive.

We should never use our personal success stories to dismiss the struggles of millions.

POLITICAL BIGOTRY AND TRIBAL LOYALTY

This may be the most difficult part of the conversation.

Some people defend every action of government simply because:

The president is from their tribe.

- Their political party is in power.

- Their preferred candidate won.

Even when they themselves are victims of the same system.

Even when they have relocated abroad.

Even when they enjoy stable electricity, quality healthcare, security, and functioning institutions in another country.

They still tell Nigerians to be satisfied with akara and guguru.

This is not patriotism.

This is denial.

There is nothing wrong with supporting a political party.

There is nothing wrong with loving your tribe.

But loyalty should never blind us to suffering.

A hungry child has no tribe.

A patient who dies because there is no hospital has no political party.

An unemployed graduate does not care about slogans.

Reality does not recognize political affiliation.

THIS IS NOT A USUAL ARTICLE

This is not one of my usual articles.

This is an honest conversation.

A conversation for those who think people are complaining because they hate a government.

A conversation for those who think every criticism is political.

A conversation for those who believe that because they suffered and survived, everybody else must do the same.

A conversation for those who refuse to see the pains millions of Nigerians experience daily.

BEFORE I GO

There is a difference between encouraging entrepreneurship and normalizing hardship.

There is a difference between hard work and survival.

There is a difference between opportunity and struggle.

Our youths are not lazy.

They do not need lectures about akara.

They need opportunities.

They need functioning institutions.

They need security.

They need hope.

Until we begin to demand these things, we will continue to celebrate survival while ignoring the system that makes survival difficult.

May God bless every honest hustle.

And may Nigeria one day become a country where our youths can dream beyond merely surviving.

✍️ Omolola TalksTV