President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has set social media buzzing after making a lighthearted joke about his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, by referring to her as “Iya Alakara” during a public event.
The President made the humorous remark while addressing guests at the Presidential Press Corps Dinner, introducing the First Lady with a smile as “my dear wife, the First Lady, Iya Alakara.” His comment immediately drew laughter from the audience and quickly gained traction online, with many Nigerians describing the moment as one of the lighter highlights of the event. (Instagram)
Tinubu’s joke comes on the heels of the recent online debate surrounding the First Lady’s comments about empowering petty traders with grants. Her remarks had sparked widespread conversations on social media, with many users creating memes and humorous posts that nicknamed her “Iya Alakara,” a Yoruba expression that translates to “mother of the akara seller.”..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
Rather than ignore the viral trend, the President appeared to embrace the moment by using the nickname himself, a move that many observers interpreted as an attempt to inject humour into the ongoing public conversation. The audience responded warmly, and clips of the exchange quickly spread across social media platforms, attracting thousands of reactions.
The playful moment offered a rare glimpse into the lighter side of the President and the First Lady, whose public appearances are often centred on governance and official engagements. While the nickname originated from a heated online discussion, Tinubu’s willingness to reference it publicly transformed it into a moment of humour that resonated with many Nigerians.
The viral clip has continued to generate mixed reactions online, with some praising the President’s sense of humour and ability to laugh along with trending conversations, while others viewed it as another chapter in the broader public discourse surrounding the First Lady’s recent comments on economic support for small-scale traders. Regardless of the differing opinions, the exchange has become one of the most talked-about political moments on Nigerian social media this week.
