Fayose to First Lady: Governors,Not Artistes,Should Lead Poverty Relief

​Isaac Fayose, a businessman and brother to a former governor of Ekiti state, has publicly challenged First Lady Oluremi Tinubu over her recent call for top Nigerian music stars to prioritize humanitarian efforts.

​In a viral video released on Sunday, July 12, 2026, Fayose disagreed with the First Lady’s suggestion that celebrities like Davido, Burna Boy, and Asake should redirect funds toward establishing foundations for the less privileged. Instead, Fayose argued that the focus should be on the government, particularly state governors under the All Progressives Congress (APC) banner, to take more substantial responsibility for the welfare of struggling citizens.

​Fayose proposed that the First Lady should urge these governors to allocate N500 million monthly from their state budgets to support vulnerable populations. He noted that such a commitment from a majority of states would yield a far greater impact than individual philanthropic efforts from private citizens.

​Further criticizing the current administration’s spending, Fayose took aim at the recent procurement of SUVs for APC women leaders across various states. He contended that the funds utilized for these luxury vehicles could have been more effectively deployed to assist small-scale traders, such as local food vendors, who are currently grappling with economic hardship.

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​”Davido, Burna Boy, and Asake have been trying in their own way,” Fayose stated, asserting that the burden of poverty alleviation primarily rests on those managing public funds.

​This friction follows recent advocacy from the First Lady, who has frequently championed humanitarian causes through the Renewed Hope Initiative and emphasized the importance of collective efforts in addressing issues like malnutrition and community service. While the administration has consistently expressed its commitment to supporting the youth and the creative economy, critics like Fayose continue to demand a greater emphasis on direct governmental intervention regarding the nation’s economic realities.