Sarah Martins Receives ₦20 Million Gift from Seyi Tinubu a Day After Arrest — From Disgrace to Grace
Nollywood actress and philanthropist Sarah Martins has expressed deep gratitude after receiving a ₦20 million donation from Seyi Tinubu, the son of Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to support her charitable foundation — barely a day after she was apprehended by the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC/KAI).
The actress was arrested on Thursday during her street cooking outreach in Lekki Phase 1 for allegedly violating environmental laws, particularly “objective four” of the LAGESC/KAI Law, which prohibits street vending and food preparation on public roads.
However, in a twist of fate, Sarah Martins’ act of compassion has now turned into a story of recognition and empowerment. In a video shared on her Instagram page, a representative of Seyi Tinubu was seen handing her an envelope containing ₦20 million, explaining that the president’s son was impressed by her humanitarian gesture and wanted to help her establish a proper, safe location for her free-food initiative.
According to the representative:
“He said you will be able to get a shop with this, where you can continue to harness your cooking skills and scale your production. He also said that when you get a shop, he’ll be responsible for equipping it with suitable industrial equipment.”
An emotional Sarah Martins described the moment as “from disgrace to grace,” noting that the donation would elevate her Golden Heart Foundation, which feeds the poor and homeless.
“From the office of the President, our philanthropic youth leader, Mr Seyi Tinubu, just supported my NGO with ₦20 million. He also promised to take my free food charity outreach to the next level. I am beyond grateful,” she wrote.
The actress explained that her initial decision to cook on the streets was motivated by compassion, not publicity:
“I just love humanity. My aim is to put smiles on the faces of those who wake up each day without knowing where their next meal will come from.”
Sarah, who began acting in 2004, is known not only for her roles in films like The Widows, The Gods Are Wise, and Family Lies, but also for her growing reputation as a street philanthropist passionate about uplifting struggling families.
💭 Opinion: When Compassion Meets Opportunity
Sarah Martins’ story perfectly captures how good intentions can sometimes clash with regulations — yet still produce something beautiful. Her arrest may have drawn criticism and controversy, but it also drew attention to a vital social issue: hunger and survival among everyday Nigerians.
Seyi Tinubu’s swift and generous intervention sends a powerful message — that grassroots kindness deserves institutional support, not just punishment. In a country where many philanthropists go unnoticed, this gesture bridges the gap between citizen-led compassion and government-backed empowerment.
Sarah’s humility and unwavering passion have turned what could have been a public embarrassment into a testimony of grace and purpose. Her story is a reminder that sometimes, when life pushes you down, it might just be setting you up for a greater rise.
In a nation where the line between law and love can get blurry, Sarah Martins has shown that the true heart of charity beats not in luxury, but in service — even if it begins on the streets.
