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Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has recalled a period in his life when selling Akara, bread and coffee became a profitable business for him, saying the venture brought in millions of naira every month.
The governor spoke during the state’s monthly covenant prayer service on September 2, where he used his own experience to show that young people can build successful businesses from seemingly small beginnings.
According to Eno, he started out selling Akara and bread and eventually introduced what he called “Akara Burger,” where the fried bean cakes were placed inside bread for customers. The business, he explained, attracted people heading to ExxonMobil in the mornings, and he later added coffee to the menu.
“We still have that shop there. I started selling Akara and bread. Back then, I was doing Akara Burger, we open the bread and put it inside for you. People going to Exxon Mobil will buy it in the morning, take coffee..we started coffee shop.
“Every month, that akara business used to give me nothing less than N10 million in a month.”
Eno’s account comes at a time when small businesses and low-capital ventures have been receiving more attention as possible ways for Nigerians to earn an income.
The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, had also encouraged Nigerians, particularly those struggling financially, to consider starting small businesses such as Akara and KuliKuli production instead of waiting for white-collar opportunities.
For Eno, his own experience is an example of what can happen when a person starts with a simple idea and takes the business seriously. What began with selling a popular Nigerian snack eventually grew into a wider food business that included bread and coffee.
His story also highlighted the importance of recognising opportunities in everyday needs. Akara is a common breakfast choice for many Nigerians, and Eno said he was able to turn that demand into a business that generated substantial income.
The governor’s message to young people was that there is dignity in starting small and that a modest business should not be dismissed simply because it does not look impressive at the beginning.
Rather than waiting for the perfect opportunity, young Nigerians can begin with the resources available to them, build their customer base and expand as the business grows.
Eno’s own journey from selling Akara and bread to becoming the governor of Akwa Ibom was presented as a reminder that success does not always start from a big office or a large investment. Sometimes, it can begin with something as ordinary as a roadside food business.
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#AkwaIbom
#SmallBusiness
#Entrepreneurship
#NigerianYouth
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