The Presidency's Media Centre has shared an artificial intelligence (AI)-generated image of Nigeria's First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, frying and selling akara, days after her remarks on small-scale businesses generated widespread reactions across social media.
DIP CONNECT ONLINE NEWS reports that the AI-created image, published on the Presidency's official social media platforms on Friday, portrays the First Lady at a roadside akara stand wearing an apron with the inscription, "Iya Alakara, fueling the nation with love."
The post comes shortly after the First Lady, during an interview, stated that micro-businesses such as frying akara, roasting corn and producing kuli kuli require relatively little start-up capital. She explained that the Federal Government is supporting such ventures through grants rather than loans to help improve the livelihoods of beneficiaries.
According to her, "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."
Her comments attracted mixed reactions from Nigerians. While some critics argued that the remarks reflected a lack of sensitivity to the country's current economic challenges, others defended her position, saying she was simply encouraging people to explore accessible entrepreneurial opportunities.
The release of the AI-generated image has further intensified discussions online. Supporters described it as a humorous response to critics, while others argued that it trivialised the economic hardship many Nigerians are experiencing.
Several users on X reacted to the development with differing opinions.
One user, identified as @Top_GunM, described the image as unfortunate, saying it diminished the stature of the wife of the President of Africa's most populous nation.
Another user, #mizmuchstella, criticised the Presidency's media team, arguing that those managing the official account were failing in their responsibility to project the government positively.
A user identified as #WilverZaddy accused the government of making light of citizens' struggles, questioning whether such content was appropriate at a time of economic hardship and insecurity.
Similarly, #ChimaAmako82045 described the post as insulting to Nigerians, expressing dissatisfaction with the government's handling of national issues.
Another commenter, #outtahighbee, argued that the Presidency's media team was damaging the President's public image by promoting such content, adding that not every Nigerian could realistically depend on selling akara or kuli kuli for survival.
User #gentrytee22 also criticised the image, saying it portrayed the government as placing little value on citizens' aspirations and reducing serious national concerns to internet humour.
Highlighting the country's rising cost of living, #AminJaman noted that even akara production has become more expensive because of increasing prices of beans, cooking oil, transportation and cooking gas, as well as declining purchasing power.
However, not all reactions were negative.
User #SirTimeyin defended the Presidency, arguing that Nigerians had earlier transformed the First Lady's remarks into jokes, memes and skits, and therefore should not be surprised that the government later adopted a similar humorous approach.
Another supporter, #sto0511M, welcomed the AI-generated image and encouraged the Presidency to continue releasing similar content.
The development follows comments made on Thursday by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who jokingly referred to the First Lady as "Iya Alakara" during the Presidential Press Corps Dinner held at the State House in Abuja.
A video of the event, shared by Aso Rock TV on YouTube, showed the President smiling as he acknowledged dignitaries present before making the light-hearted reference to his wife, a remark widely seen as a continuation of the public conversation surrounding her earlier comments on small-scale businesses.
ADEOLA KUNLE
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