Nigerians react as Tinubu playfully nicknames First Lady “Iya Alakara”

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday jokingly referred to First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu as “Iya Alakara” (Mama Akara Seller) during the Presidential Press Corps Dinner held at the State House in Abuja. The remark came while the president was acknowledging dignitaries during his speech at the event. Smiling, Tinubu turned toward his wife and addressed her with the nickname, drawing laughter from attendees.

A video of the moment, shared by Aso Rock TV on YouTube, quickly circulated online and triggered reactions across social media platforms.

The nickname appears in reference to the recent public debate surrounding remarks made by the First Lady during the Renewed Hope Initiative empowerment programme, where she encouraged Nigerian women to embrace small-scale businesses.

Oluremi Tinubu had advised women to consider ventures such as selling akara (bean cakes), roasted corn, and kuli-kuli as a means of economic empowerment and self-reliance.

Following President Tinubu’s “Iya Alakara” remark at Thursday’s dinner, several Nigerians took to X to share their opinions, with some describing the moment as humorous, while others used it to reignite conversations about the First Lady’s earlier comments.

Sense of humor wan kill this man😂😂😂 https://t.co/ASO0gvAwt9 pic.twitter.com/FtSeq4qy2P
— Wale Adedayo 🌍🔰 (@Mario9jaa) July 2, 2026

😂😂 I won't lie, that Iya Alakara reply cracked me up. Na madness really dey cure madness sometimes. Baba simply owned it and turned it into a joke. Once you embrace the name they want to use to mock you, the insult loses its power.😃🤣
— Adesínà, GCFR © (@shinadang) July 3, 2026

I wish our president and his wife iya alakara happy Friday may we witness more of it…🙏
— Medally (@Medally07) July 3, 2026

I swear, na this man fit us for this country. Shebi we think say we get ogbaa ni, we don jam who get am pass us. 🤣🤣

I love you President Tinubu….🥰🥰 pic.twitter.com/9BrA9eKDdH
— Iyalaya (@lollylarry1) July 3, 2026

Bola Tinubu calling his Wife ‘Iya Alakara’ is just another way to distract Nigerians.

He knows what he is doing.
— Prof™ (@OOlusore) July 3, 2026

Dear Tinubu,

Calling your wife iya Alakara is not a flex nor it is a banter, it only shows you are shameless and very insensitive..
— Olusegun Bakare𓃵 (@theboyisgreat) July 3, 2026