Akara business earned me N10m monthly before politics — Gov Eno

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has disclosed that his akara and bread business once generated at least N10 million in monthly income before he ventured into politics.

Eno made the revelation during the state’s monthly covenant prayer service on Tuesday, saying his experience in the business taught him valuable lessons about entrepreneurship and growing a venture from a modest beginning.

According to him, he started by selling akara with bread, a combination he branded as “Akara Burger”, before expanding the business into a coffee shop.

He said the business attracted significant patronage from workers, particularly those heading to ExxonMobil in the morning.

Eno recalled that customers would buy the akara-and-bread combination along with coffee before heading to work.

He said the business eventually became a significant source of income, generating no less than N10 million every month.

The governor’s disclosure comes amid renewed public discussion about the viability of petty businesses following comments by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu encouraging Nigerians to consider ventures such as akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli as ways of improving their livelihoods.

The First Lady had made the remarks in June after a Renewed Hope Initiative meeting with wives of state governors in Abuja, where she announced grants for petty traders.

Her comments triggered criticism from some Nigerians who questioned whether such businesses could adequately address the economic pressures facing households.

She later clarified that the empowerment programme covered a broader range of small businesses, including tomato, pepper, vegetable, roasted plantain and other petty traders.

The First Lady subsequently announced a N100 million intervention for 2,000 petty traders in Jigawa State, with each beneficiary receiving N50,000 to boost their businesses.

President Bola Tinubu also drew attention to the controversy when he jokingly referred to his wife as “Iya Alakara” during a Presidential Press Corps Dinner.

Eno’s account, however, offered a personal example of how he said a small food business became a substantial source of income before his entry into public office.