Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has appealed to some of the country’s biggest music stars, including Davido, Burna Boy and Asake, to channel part of their wealth towards supporting less privileged Nigerians through charitable initiatives.
Speaking at a public event, the First Lady said there was nothing wrong with successful entertainers enjoying the rewards of their hard work, including owning luxury vehicles such as Rolls-Royce and Maybach cars. However, she urged them to complement their success by investing in programmes that uplift vulnerable members of society.
“I want to appeal to our young ones in the entertainment industry,” she said. “We want to see you with one foundation or the other, helping the poor with your money. Good cars are good. A Maybach is good, a Rolls-Royce is good, but still, you can help.”
Oluremi Tinubu cited Senegalese-American singer Akon as an example of a celebrity known for philanthropy, encouraging Nigerian entertainers to establish foundations and expand their charitable efforts to reach disadvantaged communities.
She noted that government intervention alone could not address the country’s growing social and economic challenges, stressing that wealthy individuals also have a role to play in supporting low-income earners and small-scale entrepreneurs.
The First Lady highlighted traders such as pepper, vegetable, okra, melon, akara and kuli-kuli sellers as examples of hardworking Nigerians who could benefit from financial support and empowerment initiatives.
To illustrate the impact of such assistance, she recounted the story of a university graduate in Abuja who turned to selling akara after failing to secure formal employment. According to her, the individual later received support through an intervention and has since expanded the business to employ 12 workers.
Oluremi Tinubu said the example demonstrates how targeted support for small businesses can create jobs and improve livelihoods, adding that philanthropy by successful Nigerians could complement ongoing government efforts to reduce poverty and promote economic empowerment.
Her latest appeal comes amid continued public discussions on economic hardship and the role of both government and the private sector in supporting vulnerable Nigerians. While her remarks have generated mixed reactions online, they underscore the broader conversation about corporate social responsibility, charitable giving and the influence of high-profile public figures in addressing social challenges.
