Governor Umo Eno Says Akara, Bread Business Once Made Him ₦10 Million Monthly

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has revealed that his akara and bread business generated not less than ₦10 million every month before he ventured into politics.

The governor made the disclosure while speaking about his early business experiences and how he built his career before entering public service.

According to Eno, he started by selling akara and bread before expanding into a coffee shop. He said one of his popular products was what he described as an “Akara burger”, made by placing akara inside bread.

He explained that the business attracted workers, particularly employees of ExxonMobil, who reportedly bought the food in the mornings on their way to work.

“We started coffee shop, every month, that akara business and bread used to give me not less than N10 million,” Eno said.

 

The governor, however, did not give details about the volume of sales, number of customers, operating period or whether the ₦10 million represented monthly revenue or actual profit.

Eno's claim has generated considerable reactions online, with some Nigerians questioning how an akara and bread business could have generated ₦10 million monthly.

Some users expressed disbelief, while others criticised politicians for frequently referring to small businesses such as akara selling when discussing their humble beginnings or economic empowerment.

Daniel Regha, reacting sarcastically, questioned why Eno would leave a business reportedly generating millions of naira every month to pursue politics.

Other social media users similarly challenged the governor to provide more details about the business and how the reported monthly income was achieved.

The controversy comes months after Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, encouraged Nigerians to consider small-scale businesses such as akara selling, roasted corn and kulikuli as possible sources of livelihood.

Speaking in June while discussing empowerment initiatives, the First Lady said such businesses could be started with relatively little capital

“We're trying to give hope and to start akara business doesn't take a lot of money,” she said.

 

She explained that her office had provided grants rather than loans to some beneficiaries to enable them to establish small businesses.

Governor Eno's account of his own experience has now sparked a wider conversation online about the profitability of small-scale businesses in Nigeria and the economic realities faced by ordinary Nigerians.

What do you think about Governor Umo Eno's claim that his akara and bread business made him ₦10 million every month?

Is it possible, or should he provide more details about the business?