Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno has revealed that he once earned not less than N10 million monthly from an Akara business before venturing into politics.
Eno made the disclosure during the state’s monthly covenant prayer service, explaining that he started by selling “Akara Burger”, before expanding the business into a coffee shop.
According to the governor, workers heading to ExxonMobil were among his regular customers, particularly in the mornings.
“Every month, that Akara business used to give me nothing less than N10 million in a month”, he said.
He said customers would buy the Akara and bread combinations along side coffee before proceeding to work, helping the business grow into a major source of income.
The governor’s account come against the backdrop of renewed debate over the potential of small scale businesses to provide income for Nigerians amid economic pressures.
The debate was triggered in part by comments from First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, who had encouraged Nigerians to consider petty businesses, including Akara, roasted corn and Kuli-Kuli, as avenues for improving livelihoods.
The remarks, made in June after a Renewed Hope Initiative meeting with wives of the state governors in Abuja, attracted criticism from some Nigerians.
Some questioned whether such ventures could sufficiently cushion the economic hardship confronting households.
The First Lady subsequently clarified that the empowerment programme was not limited to Akara sellers.
She added that it also covered other petty traders dealing in items such as tomatoes, pepper, vegetables and roasted plantain. She later amounted a N100 million intervention for. 2,000 petty traders in Jigawa State, with each beneficiary receiving N50,000 to strengthen their businesses.
President Tinubu also joined the public conversation when he jokingly referred to his wife as “Iya Alakara” at a Presidential Press Corps Dinner.
Eno’s personal account also comes against the background of a career that included substantial involvement in business before his transition into government.
He said the experience taught him important lessons about entrepreneurship and how successful businesses can grow from small beginnings.
His revelation comes amid renewed public debate over the viability of small businesses following recent comments by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu encouraging Nigerians to explore petty businesses such as Akara and kuli-kuli as a means of improving their livelihoods.
-9News Nigeria.
