A viral video of a corn seller claiming she earns over N2.5 million monthly has generated widespread reactions on social media, with many Nigerians questioning the claim while others defended the possibility, reigniting conversations around the profitability of small-scale businesses.

The short clip, shared on X by #ChuksEricE on Sunday, showed a woman asking the corn seller how much she made from the business.

Responding, the seller said, “Per month I make like 2.5 million.”

It was not immediately clear whether the video was recorded as a content creation skit or a spontaneous street interview.

Nevertheless, the clip quickly went viral, attracting thousands of comments across X and Instagram.

Reacting, #okafor_nna questioned the mathematics behind the claim, writing, “2.5 million a month, she’s a joker. It means she makes like 84 thousands of profit every day… for a corn of 500 Naira, let assume u make profit of 200 Naira on every… it still doesn’t add.”

Another X user, #Nigash_ dismissed the claim, saying, “2.5m na you still be like this. You, the interviewer and who ask you make you talk this lie dey crase.”

Also expressing doubt, #DrLeguzo wrote, “That’s absolutely false. Two things: 1. She did not understand the question 2. She doesn’t know what 2.5m is. Easy nut to crack. How many corns does she sell on a given day and how much does she sell on average? Exaggeration at worst.”

Some users raised questions rather than outright dismissing the figure.

#Iamjezyg asked, “So after the corn season is over, how else is she making the sales?”

Others expressed concern that the publicity could expose the seller to security risks. #nonchallantjay wrote, “Una nogo spread am keh. When boys kidnap this lady and ask for ransom na then truth go come out.”

There were also lighter reactions. #DojaO joked, “Make first Lady Sha no see this one, abi what is all this ehn?” while #Mr_more001 commented, “Because she’s the only one selling corn. She should hide her face.”

On Instagram, reactions were similarly mixed. User #victor_kaizen_ wrote, “See the way they dressed her up well,” while #unchartteed1 suggested, “She fit get 100 branch.”

The renewed attention comes weeks after First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu urged Nigerian women to embrace low-capital businesses such as frying akara, roasting corn and producing kulikuli, describing them as sustainable ventures that could benefit from grants instead of loans.

Her remarks drew criticism from many Nigerians, who argued they downplayed the country’s economic hardship amid rising inflation, food prices and unemployment.

President Bola Tinubu later defended the comments, saying the Federal Government’s empowerment initiatives extended beyond akara sellers to include traders dealing in tomatoes, pepper, vegetables and roasted plantain. He also disclosed that the Federal Government had provided N100 million to the Jigawa State Government to empower 2,000 petty traders with N50,000 each under the Renewed Hope Initiative.

The President’s Special Assistant on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, also defended the First Lady, describing the backlash as a “performative circus of selective amnesia” and saying critics had ignored the wider interventions of the Renewed Hope Initiative in women’s empowerment, healthcare and support for vulnerable groups.

The debate has continued to spread beyond politics and social media. It recently featured in an examination at Prince Abubakar Audu University, Kogi State, where students were asked to produce an advocacy advertisement based on the First Lady’s remarks, underscoring how discussions about petty trading, economic empowerment and livelihoods remain part of Nigeria’s broader public conversation. (The PUNCH)

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