Asudemade Perspective Editorial on Sunday

The mention of akara and kulikuli by Nigeria’s First Lady, , during a recent public engagement generated mixed reactions. While some critics dismissed the examples as ordinary and unworthy of national discourse, such criticism misses the bigger picture. Those two humble products represent far more than local delicacies; they symbolise the resilience, creativity and economic relevance of millions of Nigerians whose daily labour sustains families, communities and the nation.

At Asudemade Perspective, we submit that the informal sector deserves far greater recognition than it currently receives. It is not a peripheral part of the economy. It is its foundation.

Long before governments introduced economic reforms, long before multinational corporations dominated the marketplace, and long before digital commerce became fashionable, ordinary Nigerians had built thriving informal enterprises that kept commerce alive. From the woman selling akara before sunrise to the elderly man producing kulikuli in rural communities, from roadside mechanics and vulcanisers to market women, carpenters, bricklayers, welders, tailors, shoemakers, transport operators and petty traders, the informal economy has always been Nigeria’s silent engine of growth.

It is easy to celebrate billion-dollar corporations because they occupy impressive office buildings and publish glossy annual reports. Yet the true measure of an economy lies not only in the success of large companies but also in the productivity of millions of ordinary citizens who earn honest livelihoods every day.

The akara seller purchases beans from farmers, palm oil from processors, pepper and onions from traders, cooking utensils from local fabricators and fuel from energy suppliers. The kulikuli producer buys groundnuts from local farmers and relies on transporters, packaging vendors and market retailers to reach consumers. These activities create an extensive economic chain that supports countless households. Every small business stimulates another.

Across Nigeria, the informal sector has become the nation’s largest employer. As industries struggle with high production costs, unstable electricity, inflation and declining purchasing power, the informal economy continues to absorb millions of job seekers. It provides opportunities for school leavers, graduates unable to secure white-collar employment, artisans, widows and young entrepreneurs striving to build better futures.

This story is not unique to Nigeria. Across Africa, the informal economy remains the backbone of national development. In Ghana, open markets and food vendors feed cities while sustaining thousands of families. In Kenya, the renowned Jua Kali sector manufactures furniture, metal works and machinery that support local industries. In South Africa, township enterprises continue to drive grassroots commerce. Across the continent, informal businesses provide livelihoods where formal employment remains insufficient.

Women are undoubtedly the greatest strength of this sector. Across Nigerian markets, women dominate food processing, agricultural marketing, retail trading and small-scale manufacturing. Their businesses pay school fees, build homes, provide healthcare and contribute significantly to household welfare. Without these women, many families would struggle to survive today’s economic realities.

Equally important is the role of the informal sector in youth empowerment. Thousands of young Nigerians acquire vocational skills through apprenticeship in tailoring, automobile repairs, welding, electrical installation, catering, fashion design and other trades. These skills have produced entrepreneurs who employ others and contribute meaningfully to economic growth.

Ironically, despite its enormous contribution, the informal sector remains one of the least supported segments of the economy. Access to affordable finance is limited. Infrastructure is poor. Multiple taxation discourages enterprise. Regulatory bottlenecks frustrate business owners. Insecurity disrupts commercial activities. Electricity shortages increase production costs. These challenges persist even though governments rely heavily on the economic activities generated by these businesses.

Rather than treating informal enterprises merely as sources of taxation, policymakers should recognise them as strategic partners in national development. Government intervention should prioritise affordable credit, modern market infrastructure, simplified business registration, vocational training, digital literacy, healthcare access and social protection for small business operators.

Technology has also opened new possibilities. Today, many roadside food vendors, artisans and traders advertise on social media, receive payments electronically and serve customers beyond their immediate locations. With the right support, many of these enterprises can grow into successful small and medium-sized businesses, creating even more employment opportunities.

Indeed, history reminds us that many of Nigeria’s leading indigenous companies began as modest family businesses. Every successful entrepreneur starts small. Today’s roadside trader may become tomorrow’s industrialist if given the right environment to thrive.

The debate generated by the mention of akara and kulikuli should therefore challenge us to rethink our attitude toward grassroots entrepreneurship. National development is not driven solely by oil revenues, banks, telecommunications companies or multinational corporations. It is equally powered by the millions of Nigerians who rise before dawn to produce, process, transport and sell goods that keep the economy moving.

No nation develops by ignoring its grassroots economy. Countries that have successfully transformed their economies first recognised the value of small enterprises before integrating them into broader national development strategies. Nigeria must do the same.

The informal sector is not a sign of economic weakness. It is evidence of the resilience, ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit of the Nigerian people. It deserves respect, investment and deliberate policy support.

Perhaps, the next time we hear the words akara and kulikuli mentioned in national discourse, we should not merely think of breakfast or snacks. We should think of millions of hardworking Nigerians whose sweat keeps the wheels of our economy turning every single day.

That is the true story behind akara and kulikuli. That is the true story of the Nigerian economy.

— Asudemade Perspective