“My Mother Sold Akamu” — Defence Minister on Petty Traders

A powerful reminder that greatness often starts from the most humble beginnings

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Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has stirred hearts and sparked conversations across the country after delivering an emotional and deeply personal message urging Nigerians to stop looking down on petty traders.

Speaking at an event in Abuja organized for widows and wives of military personnel, the Defence Minister did not mince words — and he did not hide where he came from.

“My Mother Sold Akara and Akamu”

In a moment that many Nigerians are calling both refreshing and deeply relatable, Minister Musa opened up about his humble background, revealing that his mother was a petty trader who sold akara* (fried bean cakes) and *akamu (pap) to make ends meet.

For many Nigerian families, this is not just a story — it is a lived reality. Countless mothers across Lagos, Kano, Enugu, Port Harcourt, and every corner of this great nation have woken up before dawn, fanned coals, and stirred pots of akamu so that their children could have a better tomorrow.

The Defence Minister’s message was clear: that woman frying akara by the roadside deserves your respect.

A Message That Hits Different

In a country where social status is often loudly celebrated and hustle is sometimes quietly shamed, Musa’s words carry significant weight. Too many Nigerians have been made to feel embarrassed about their parents’ trades or their own means of survival.

But here stands one of the most powerful men in Nigeria’s government, wearing his mother’s hustle like a badge of honour.

This is the kind of leadership Nigerians need — one that does not forget where it came from.

Dignity in Every Trade

Petty trading is the backbone of Nigeria’s informal economy. From the mama put* who feeds office workers their afternoon rice, to the *mallam selling recharge cards under the sun, to the woman balancing a tray of groundnuts on her head — these are the people who keep communities alive and families fed.

Yet society often treats them as invisible.

Minister Musa’s call to action is simple but powerful: accord dignity and respect to petty traders. See them. Appreciate them. Understand that their sweat is building this nation just as much as any boardroom deal.

The Lesson We Must All Take Home

Whether you are a student, a corporate professional, or a government official, remember this: where you are going does not erase where you came from. And where you came from — no matter how humble — is nothing to be ashamed of.

If anything, it is something to be proud of.

So the next time you walk past a woman selling akara and akamu by the roadside, pause. Show some respect. Because you never know — you might just be walking past the mother of a future minister.

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What do you think about the Defence Minister’s message? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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