Oyindamola Ogunbowale
Akara and coffee may not sound like the ingredients for a multimillion naira business, but Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has revealed that the unlikely combination once earned him at least N10 million every month.
The governor shared the revelation while reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey before entering politics, offering a glimpse into one of the businesses that helped shape his experience as an entrepreneur.
According to Eno, he ran an akara burger and coffee business targeted at workers heading to ExxonMobil. Rather than simply selling akara as a roadside snack, he positioned it as a convenient breakfast option for busy professionals on their way to work.
That strategy, he said, proved highly profitable, with the business generating a minimum of N10 million monthly.
The revelation puts an interesting twist on one of Nigeria’s most familiar foods.
Akara, traditionally made from blended beans and fried in oil, is often associated with roadside vendors and homemade breakfasts.
But Eno’s account suggests that with the right packaging, location and target market, the humble snack can be turned into a much bigger commercial proposition.
His story also highlights a broader lesson for aspiring entrepreneurs: profitable businesses do not always require complicated products.
Sometimes, the opportunity lies in taking something people already know and consume and presenting it in a way that better fits their needs.
For akara sellers and food entrepreneurs, the governor’s experience raises an intriguing question: could Nigeria’s beloved bean fritter become the foundation of a modern fast-food brand?
