Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has sparked conversations online after recounting how he once ventured into the sale of akara and bread, claiming the small food business generated at least ₦10 million in monthly earnings.
The governor reportedly shared the story during the state’s monthly covenant prayer, while reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey and the importance of starting small businesses in difficult economic times.
According to Eno, he began selling akara burgers alongside bread and eventually built a business that served workers in the oil industry. He said the venture was successful enough to generate what he described as no less than ₦10 million every month.
“I started selling Akara and bread. I made not less than ₦10m in a month,” Eno was quoted as saying.
The revelation has attracted significant attention because of the enormous figure attached to what many Nigerians would ordinarily regard as a modest roadside food business.
The governor’s story has also been linked by supporters to his broader account of starting from humble entrepreneurial beginnings. Eno has previously spoken about developing Royalty Hotels from a five-room operation, presenting his journey as an example of how businesses can grow gradually through determination and perseverance.
His latest remarks come at a time when Nigerians are facing rising living costs and widespread calls for people to explore small-scale businesses and alternative sources of income. Food ventures such as akara frying, bread sales and other low-capital enterprises are often mentioned as possible ways for individuals to create income.
However, reactions to the governor’s claim have been sharply divided.
Some supporters have praised Eno for highlighting his entrepreneurial background, arguing that his experience demonstrates that seemingly small businesses can become profitable when properly managed. They see the story as an encouragement to young Nigerians who may be discouraged from starting businesses because of their limited capital.
Others, however, have questioned the mathematics behind the reported earnings. Some social media users have attempted to estimate the quantity of akara and bread that would have needed to be sold at the time to reach ₦10 million in monthly revenue.
Those questions have generated memes, arguments and further discussion about how politicians recount their personal histories, particularly when figures from decades ago are converted into present-day naira values.
It is also important to distinguish between revenue, profit and the value of money at the time the governor was referring to. Without further details about the exact year, selling price, operating costs, customer volume and whether the ₦10 million figure represents revenue or profit, the claim cannot be independently assessed from the available account alone.
Despite the controversy, Eno’s story has revived a familiar message about entrepreneurship: businesses that appear small at the beginning can become significant ventures when they attract a reliable customer base and are consistently managed.
For many Nigerians, however, the bigger conversation now centres on one question just how much akara and bread would have had to leave that shop every month to produce ₦10 million?
