Opinion

Before Mocking Akara, Remember the Woman Who Built an Empire Selling It

In the rush to ridicule Nigeria's First Lady over akara, social media has forgotten Iyabo Olorunnisola — the Osun entrepreneur who built two houses, owned a Mercedes-Benz, and proved that no honest trade is beneath dignity.

Ademola Adeleke

Editorial Board, The Trojan Beast

June 27, 2026 · Lagos, Nigeria0 views4 min read

Before Mocking Akara, Remember the Woman Who Built an Empire Selling It — Iyabo Olorunnisola — the Akara Queen who built two houses, owned a Mercedes-Benz, and proved that no honest trade is beneath dignity. (The Trojan Beast)

In recent days, social media has been flooded with posts mocking Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, over her association with akara. For some, it has become another opportunity for political ridicule. But in the rush to score partisan points, many have forgotten a remarkable chapter of Yoruba entrepreneurial history.

Long before "foodpreneur" became a fashionable word, Iyabo Olorunnisola had already proven that akara was far more than a roadside snack — it was a pathway to wealth.

By 1991, Olorunnisola had built two magnificent two-storey buildings in Osu, near Ilesha, Osun State. She owned a Mercedes-Benz 200 and three business vehicles — all financed through her akara enterprise, Iyadunni Special Akara.

Built One Bean Cake at a Time

This was not inherited wealth. It was built one bean cake at a time.

While many dismissed akara as a trade for the poor, she saw opportunity where others saw limitation. She modernised the family business by using vegetable oil instead of only palm oil and enriched her akara with fish, eggs, liver, crab, vegetables, onions, and pepper. Her premium product sold for ₦2 when others sold theirs for 50 kobo — and customers willingly paid for the quality.

From frying pan to fortune — how Iyabo Olorunnisola redefined street food in Nigeria. (The Trojan Beast)

"I have been able to achieve all the good things of life from this business."
— Iyabo Olorunnisola, founder of Iyadunni Special Akara

That statement still resonates today.

The Lesson Is Bigger Than Politics

The lesson is bigger than politics. Honest work deserves respect, whether it is selling akara, repairing shoes, farming, coding software, or running a multinational company.

Political disagreements are normal in any democracy. But turning honest labour into an object of ridicule sends the wrong message, especially to young Nigerians trying to build businesses from humble beginnings.

If one of Nigeria's most successful akara entrepreneurs could build houses, own luxury vehicles, employ others, and leave behind a legacy through bean cakes, then akara is not an insult — it is a symbol of entrepreneurship.

A Symbol, Not a Slur

History reminds us that dignity is found in honest work, not in mocking those who celebrate it.

Perhaps instead of laughing at akara, we should celebrate the Nigerians who transformed it into an industry and inspired generations to believe that no legitimate business is too small to create extraordinary success.