Seyi Awolowo Urges Nigeria to Move Beyond ‘Akara Economy,’ Embrace AI

Former Big Brother Naija housemate, Seyi Awolowo, has urged Nigeria to shift its focus from survival-driven ambitions to innovation and artificial intelligence, arguing that the country’s educational and economic aspirations should have evolved beyond what he described as the “Akara and Kulikuli” stage.

Speaking on Vanguard’s Nigeria Meter Podcast, Awolowo said the global economy was being reshaped by advances in artificial intelligence, with countries such as China and the United States leading the race, while Nigeria was yet to establish itself in the innovation space.

According to him, businesses such as selling akara and kulikuli, though respectable, were traditionally associated with petty traders, and the country’s educational system should have created opportunities for citizens to aspire to more knowledge-driven careers.

“KuliKuli and Akara, while I was growing up, were businesses for petty traders. There should have been an upgrade,” he said.

Awolowo questioned why Nigeria remained preoccupied with basic survival at a time when other nations were making significant investments in cutting-edge technology and innovation.

“We are entering the AI race right now, where we are seeing the way China and America are going back to back with innovation. Where is our own? Why are we thinking of Akara and KuliKuli?” he asked.