By Deborah Nnamdi
The Presidency has ignited fresh reactions on social media after the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Media Centre shared an artificial intelligence (AI)-generated image depicting Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, frying and selling akara at a roadside stand.
The image, posted on the Presidency’s official social media platforms on Friday, showed the First Lady wearing an apron branded with the inscription, “Iya Alakara, fueling the nation with love,” a reference to the recent controversy surrounding her remarks on small-scale businesses.
The AI-generated post comes days after Oluremi Tinubu said businesses such as frying akara, roasting corn, nd producing kuli kuli require relatively little start-up capital and could provide sustainable livelihoods for many Nigerians.
Speaking during an interview, the First Lady explained that the Federal Government was supporting such ventures through grants rather than loans to encourage entrepreneurship among low-income earners.
“We’re trying to give hope, and to start akara business doesn’t take a lot of money. To start roasting corn, or somebody even said kuli kuli doesn’t take much. We didn’t give them a loan; we gave it to them as a grant,” she said.
Her comments immediately generated widespread debate, with many Nigerians arguing that they failed to reflect the country’s worsening economic conditions, rising inflation, and declining purchasing power. Others, however, defended her remarks, insisting she was merely highlighting affordable business opportunities available to ordinary citizens.
The Presidency’s decision to publish the AI-generated image further intensified the conversation, dividing opinion across social media.
While supporters described the post as a humorous response to online criticism, many others accused the government of making light of the economic hardship confronting millions of Nigerians.
Reacting to, user @Top_GunM described the image as unfortunate, saying it diminished the office of the First Lady of Africa’s most populous nation.
Another user, identified as #mizmuchstella, criticised the Presidency’s media team, arguing that the post failed to project the government positively and instead worsened public perception.
Also reacting, #WilverZaddy accused the administration of mocking citizens at a time of severe economic hardship and insecurity, while #ChimaAmako82045 described the image as an insult to Nigerians struggling with rising living costs.
Another X user, #outtahighbee, argued that the Presidency’s media handlers were damaging President Tinubu’s image by turning a sensitive national issue into comic relief.
Similarly, #gentrytee22 said the image reflected what he described as the government’s low regard for citizens, claiming that legitimate concerns over economic hardship had been reduced to a nationwide meme.
Highlighting the rising cost of food, another user, #AminJaman, noted that even akara had become significantly more expensive due to increases in the prices of beans, cooking oil, transportation, nd cooking gas, making the business less affordable than suggested.
However, not all reactions were critical.
User #SirTimeyin defended the Presidency, arguing that many Nigerians had themselves turned the First Lady’s remarks into jokes, memes, nd comedy skits before the government responded with the AI image.
Another supporter, #sto0511M, welcomed the post and encouraged the Presidency to continue releasing similar content in response to critics.
The latest controversy comes a day after President Bola Tinubu jokingly referred to his wife as “Iya Alakara” during the Presidential Press Corps Dinner at the State House in Abuja.
A video from the event showed the President smiling as he acknowledged dignitaries before playfully addressing the First Lady with the nickname, drawing laughter from guests.
The AI-generated image has since continued to dominate conversations online, with many Nigerians debating whether it reflects the government’s sense of humour or demonstrates a disconnect from the economic realities facing citizens.
