How I made N10m monthly from akara business — Akwa Ibom governor

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has revealed that he once made not less than N10 million monthly from his akara and bread business before venturing into politics.

Eno made the disclosure during the state’s monthly covenant prayer service on Tuesday, where he reflected on his entrepreneurial journey and the lessons he gained from starting a small business.

From akara and bread to coffee shop

The governor said he began by selling akara and bread, which he packaged and marketed as “Akara Burger”. According to him, the business later expanded into a coffee shop where customers could enjoy the food with coffee.

“We still have that shop there. I started selling akara and bread. Back then, I was doing Akara Burger. We open the bread and put it inside for you,” Eno said.

He explained that the business attracted significant patronage from people heading to work in the mornings, particularly workers going to ExxonMobil.

“People going to Exxon Mobil will buy it in the morning, take coffee. We started coffee shop and then they will take it. Every month, that Akara business used to give me nothing less than ₦10 million in a month,” he added.

Business experience shaped his outlook

Eno said his experience in the akara business taught him important lessons about entrepreneurship, customer service and the process of building a sustainable enterprise from a modest beginning.

The governor’s revelation comes months after First Lady Oluremi Tinubu generated public discussion when she encouraged Nigerians to consider small-scale businesses, including akara and kuli-kuli, as possible means of improving their livelihoods.

Speaking after a Renewed Hope Initiative meeting with wives of state governors in Abuja in June, the First Lady said businesses such as akara selling and roasted corn did not require huge capital to start.

She said the initiative was designed to give people grants rather than loans to help them establish or strengthen their businesses.

First Lady’s akara initiative drew reactions

The First Lady’s comments attracted criticism on social media, with some Nigerians questioning whether petty trading could adequately address the economic difficulties confronting citizens.

She later defended the empowerment programme, explaining that it was not restricted to akara sellers. According to her, beneficiaries included tomato sellers, roasted plantain sellers, pepper traders and vegetable sellers.

She also announced a N100 million intervention for 2,000 petty traders in Jigawa State, with each beneficiary receiving N50,000 to recapitalise their businesses.

President Bola Tinubu subsequently joined the public conversation by jokingly referring to his wife as “Iya Alakara” during a Presidential Press Corps Dinner.

Akara business debate renewed

Eno’s account of his own experience has now renewed attention on the potential of small-scale enterprises to generate income and create sustainable livelihoods.

His disclosure also provides a personal example of how an entrepreneur can begin with a relatively simple food business and expand into other ventures.

The governor’s story is likely to add to the ongoing conversation about entrepreneurship, small-business financing and the role of petty trading in helping Nigerians cope with economic challenges.