How Nigeria’s Informal Food Traders Are Building Homes, Educating Children & Creating Jobs

National Debate Highlights the Economic Power of Indigenous Micro-Enterprises

THE conversation generated by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s call for Nigerians to embrace indigenous small-scale enterprises such as akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli has continued to resonate across the country.

Coming at a time of persistent inflation, rising unemployment and increasing living costs, the remarks have prompted wider public reflection on the role of informal businesses in sustaining millions of households.

Findings from traders across Benue, Katsina, Zamfara, Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa, Kano, Lagos and Ogun states suggest that beneath the simplicity of these traditional food businesses lies an extensive economic ecosystem that has quietly supported education, housing, employment and family welfare for generations.

Although critics questioned whether such businesses can address Nigeria’s broader economic challenges, those directly involved insist they represent practical examples of resilience, self-employment and grassroots wealth creation.

Across States, Traders Share One Story

Whether in Katsina-Ala, Gusau, Jos, Minna, Lafia, Kano or Lagos, traders described remarkably similar experiences despite operating in different markets.

Many explained that kuli-kuli and akara businesses have enabled them to pay school fees, build family houses, employ workers and provide stable incomes despite difficult economic conditions.

Several traders acknowledged that earnings fluctuate depending on customer demand, production costs and seasonal factors.

Even so, they agreed that consistency, discipline and patience have allowed many families to remain financially independent.

Businesses Sustained Through Determination

Veteran traders said decades of experience have proven that indigenous food enterprises remain viable when properly managed.

Some producers now employ dozens of workers involved in processing, packaging, frying and distribution, thereby creating employment opportunities beyond immediate family members.

Others described how the businesses have evolved into multigenerational enterprises, with children inheriting both the skills and customer relationships developed by their parents.

Young entrepreneurs have also embraced the sector, demonstrating that traditional food production continues to attract new participants despite economic uncertainty.

Women Continue to Drive the Informal Economy

Women remain the dominant force behind much of Nigeria’s akara and kuli-kuli industry.

Across multiple states, female traders recounted stories of using small profits accumulated over many years to finance children’s education, build homes and support extended family members.

Several widows also explained how the businesses became their primary means of survival following the loss of their spouses.

Many said the enterprises have provided financial independence that formal employment opportunities never offered.

Inflation, Insecurity and Rising Costs

Success has not come without significant obstacles.

Across the country, traders cited rising costs of beans, groundnuts, cooking oil, gas, electricity and transportation as major threats to profitability.

Northern producers additionally identified insecurity as a major factor limiting agricultural production and increasing raw material prices.

Others complained about unstable electricity, forcing them to rely on expensive alternative energy sources for processing.

Some traders also reported harassment by regulatory officials and enforcement agencies, saying such actions occasionally resulted in financial losses.

Government Support Seen as Missing Link

Despite these challenges, producers believe targeted government intervention could transform the sector into a major contributor to employment generation.

Among the measures repeatedly suggested were affordable credit facilities, improved processing technology, stable electricity, better transportation infrastructure and support for small-scale manufacturers.

Many argued that such investments would increase production, improve product quality and expand market opportunities both within and outside Nigeria.

More Than a Snack, A National Livelihood

The experiences shared by traders across Nigeria reveal that akara and kuli-kuli represent far more than traditional foods.

For countless households, they constitute enduring sources of income, social mobility and economic resilience.

From financing university education and constructing homes to creating jobs and supporting family welfare, the businesses continue to demonstrate the often-overlooked strength of Nigeria’s informal economy.

As one trader aptly observed, “The business may not create instant millionaires, but it has created stable families, responsible citizens and generations of educated children.”