Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has called on Afrobeats stars Burna Boy, Davido and Asake to establish charitable foundations to support vulnerable Nigerians, saying the government cannot shoulder the country’s social welfare challenges alone.

Speaking on Saturday in Lokoja, Kogi State, during the launch of the national community food bank, Mrs. Tinubu said Nigeria has many wealthy individuals who should do more to assist those in need.

“Nigeria is a great country. We have a lot of wealthy people. But our priorities are different. And I think it’s high time we started helping those who need help in the country,” she said.

The First Lady specifically appealed to young entertainers to emulate the philanthropic efforts of Senegalese-American music star Akon.

“I want to appeal to our young ones in the entertainment industry. I’ve mentioned it before, and I will use Akon, a music icon who does a lot of great charity work,” Mrs. Tinubu said.

“The Burna Boys of this world, Asake, all of them, Davido. We want to see you with one foundation or the other, helping the poor with your money.

“Good cars are good; a Maybach is good, Rolls-Royce is good, but still you can still help. The burden on the government is huge.”

She encouraged wealthy Nigerians to support small-scale traders and low-income earners, highlighting the contributions of everyday entrepreneurs.

“You can still help. There are pepper sellers. There are vegetable sellers. There are okra sellers, melon sellers, akara kulikuli. Ankara is delicious. I can tell you that,” she added.

Mrs. Tinubu also advised Nigerians not to look down on legitimate means of earning a living, recounting the story of a graduate who ventured into business after failing to secure employment.

“And there was once I read an article about a young graduate who said he didn’t get a job. And he said he sells Zakara because he couldn’t get a job and he’s in Abuja.

“We approached him, but I didn’t put my name to it. We equipped him more. He now has 12 workers working under him, and he’s doing very, very well. So our people should never despise jobs,” she said.

As part of empowerment efforts in Kogi State, the First Lady announced the donation of ₦100 million through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) to support another 2,000 petty traders in the state.

“Today in that same spirit, the Renewed Hope Initiative has donated ₦100 million to the First Lady of Kogi State and RHI coordinator to empower another 2,000 petty traders in Kogi State with the sum of ₦50,000 each to recapitalise their existing businesses.

“And I’m glad that the women who are beneficiaries, they got the idea because I saw them bringing their tray of different food items, very small items, to welcome me today, and I think the message is quite received no matter how people want to turn it around,” Mrs. Tinubu added.