President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Media Centre has shared an AI-generated image of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, frying and selling akara, days after her comments on micro-enterprises sparked widespread criticism on social media.
The image, posted on the presidency’s official social media accounts yesterday, depicts the First Lady at a roadside akara stand wearing an apron bearing the inscription, “Iya Alakara, fueling the nation with love.”
The post followed remarks by the First Lady during an interview in which she said small-scale businesses such as frying akara, roasting corn and making kuli kuli require little start-up capital.
She explained that the federal government was supporting such ventures with grants rather than loans as part of efforts to improve livelihoods.
“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 had said.
Nigerians react
Her comments triggered mixed reactions, with many Nigerians accusing her of being insensitive to the country’s economic realities, while others defended her, saying she was highlighting accessible business opportunities.
The presidency’s AI-generated image has further fuelled debate online, with supporters describing it as a light-hearted response to critics and others condemning it as trivialising the economic hardship faced by many Nigerians.
Reacting on X, a user identified as @Top_GunM wrote, “Warra country. It’s so unfortunate. This is meant to be the wife of the president of the most populous black nation in the world and this is what she’s being reduced to.”
Another user, who tweets as #mizmuchstella, criticised the presidency’s media team, saying, “Whoever is the handler of this account should be sacked. Your job is to position this government as good, but it is obvious you have no basic knowledge of your job.”
Also reacting,zaddy wilver who identifies #WilverZaddy said, “I hope Nigerians are seeing the man they voted for using them to catch cruise? Is this what a president is supposed to say? A president directly mocking the masses while the economy bites harder with high level of insecurity in the country. Such a big pity and mess.”
CHEQNBALNCE who identifies as #ChimaAmako82045 described the post as an insult to Nigerians, “Keep enjoying this mediocrity n insult you are giving Nigerians, e just remain months to vote the idiotic family out of aso rock, and na that time when una wan rig am na him una go know Nigerians pain. Enjoy it while it last but remember it won’t last forever.”
Straight who writes as #outtahighbee argued that the presidency was hurting its own image, “lol You guys are not helping this president of ours at all. You think you are but you keep dragging the old man down and further down with this cruise. Everybody can’t sell akara and kuli kuli now Abi iru wahala wo leleyi gan sef? Oro yin su mi o.”
Gentry who tweets as #gentrytee22 said the image reflected how poorly the government rated citizens, describing it as “a nationwide meme.”, “This is to show how small the government of the day rates its citizens. You advocate for mediocrity and call it innovation , people who wants better for themselves complain now it has to turn to a nationwide meme being used by the government media team lol. It’s a shame”
Highlighting rising living costs, Bruno Fernandes broda who identifies as #AminJaman added, “Even akara has become more expensive because beans, oil, and transport costs keep rising. The smile is beautiful, but behind it is the reality of soaring food prices, expensive cooking gas, and declining purchasing power.”
Tim Oma who writes as #SirTimeyin defended the post, arguing that Nigerians had initially turned the First Lady’s remarks into memes.
”I find it interesting that so many people are suddenly outraged. When the First Lady’s ‘Akara’ comment became content, Nigerians turned it into skits, memes, and endless cruise. We laughed, and moved on. Now the president has added his own quota to the same joke, and everyone is wailing. Why the surprise? Once a national issue becomes entertainment, don’t be shocked when those in power start treating it like one too. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.
Sta M who tweets as #sto0511M welcomed the image, urging the presidency to continue releasing similar content.
“Thank you for this image we want more of these kind images to dish out to them so that theh can continue roaming in 1 roundabout,abeg pepper 🌶 dem more for us our body sey sweet us with that PBAT statement”
Tinubu had on Thursday playfully referred to the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, as “Iya Alakara” (Mama Akara Seller), in an apparent light-hearted reference to the recent controversy surrounding her remarks on small-scale businesses.
The president made the remark while observing protocol during his address at the Presidential Press Corps Dinner held at the State House, Abuja.
A video of the event, shared by Aso Rock TV on YouTube, showed Tinubu smiling as he acknowledged dignitaries in attendance before turning to the First Lady.
