The Media Centre of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ignited fresh controversy after posting an AI-generated image of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, frying and selling akara.
The image, shared on official social media accounts Friday, shows Mrs. Tinubu at a roadside stand wearing an apron inscribed “Iya Alakara, fueling the nation with love."
This post came days after her remarks on micro-enterprises suggesting that ventures like frying akara, roasting corn, or making kuli kuli require little start-up capital triggered heated debate.
She explained that the Federal Government was supporting such businesses with grants rather than loans to improve livelihoods.
Her comments drew mixed reactions: critics accused her of trivialising Nigeria’s economic struggles, while supporters argued she was highlighting accessible opportunities.
The AI image has now deepened the divide, with some praising it as light-hearted and others condemning it as mocking citizens amid rising hardship.
On social media, reactions ranged from outrage to satire. One user described the post as “a nationwide meme,” while another lamented that “even akara has become more expensive because beans, oil, and transport costs keep rising.”
Others defended the Presidency, noting that Nigerians themselves had turned the First Lady’s remarks into skits and memes before the government joined in.
President Tinubu himself added fuel to the debate on Thursday when he playfully referred to his wife as “Iya Alakara” during a State House dinner, smiling as he acknowledged dignitaries.
The controversy shows the growing tension between government messaging and public perception, with many Nigerians questioning whether humour is appropriate in the face of economic hardship.
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