The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has urged Nigerians not to look down on petty traders and small-scale businesses, revealing that his mother sold akara and akamu to support the family and contribute to his upbringing.

Musa made the remarks during a one-day training and financial empowerment workshop for widows and wives of military personnel at Lungi Barracks in Abuja. The programme, themed “Renewed Hope for Families of the Armed Forces of Nigeria Through Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development,” was organised by the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN). He recalled the criticism that followed the financial support recently provided by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu to akara sellers and other petty traders, describing the reactions as unfair and misplaced.

“Standing here today as the Minister of Defence, my mother sold akamu. It is with that akamu that my mother supported the family and helped me to where I am today. I am very proud that my mother supported my father by selling akara and akamu. Don’t let anybody make you feel that selling akara and akamu is below standard,” Musa said. He stressed that many families have built successful lives through small businesses and that honest labour should always be respected.

The Defence Minister encouraged participants to take advantage of the entrepreneurship training and financial support provided under the programme to establish or expand their businesses. He said entrepreneurship offers military families a sustainable source of income, reduces dependence on government support and contributes to economic empowerment. According to the organisers, the initiative forms part of the Federal Government’s efforts to improve the welfare of military families and promote enterprise development among vulnerable groups.