The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Media Centre has posted an AI-generated image of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, frying and selling akara, following intense backlash on social media over her views on small-scale companies.
The image, which was released on the Presidency’s official social media pages on Friday, featured the First Lady at a roadside akara kiosk, wearing an apron with the words “Iya Alakara, fueling the nation with love.”
It was claimed that the post followed remarks made by the First Lady during an interview, in which she stated that micro-enterprises such as frying akara, roasting corn, and producing kuli kuli required minimal capital to begin.
Oluremi Tinubu stated that the Federal Government is supporting such enterprises with grants rather than loans in order to enhance livelihoods and boost small businesses.
“We’re trying to offer people hope, and starting an akara business doesn’t cost much money. It doesn’t take much to begin roasting maize, or as one person put it, “kuli kuli.” We provided them a grant rather than a debt,” she explained.
Her words, however, elicited a range of reactions from Nigerians, particularly on social media.
While some critics accused the First Lady of being unconcerned about the terrible economic realities that many citizens face, others praised her, claiming she was simply paying attention to tiny companies that anybody could start with minimal assistance.
The choice by the President to publish the AI-generated image has fueled the discussion.
Supporters of the tweet described it as a lighthearted response to critics, as well as an attempt to underscore the First Lady’s message of entrepreneurship and self-reliance.
Others, however, criticized the image, claiming that it trivialised the economic hardships that many Nigerians face, particularly at a time when growing living costs have made life tough for households and small business owners.
The dispute comes in the midst of ongoing public discussions about poverty, unemployment, food inflation, and the impact of government economic policies on ordinary Nigerians.
Many critics questioned whether government officials properly recognized the extent of residents’ distress.
The AI image of the First Lady selling Akara has elicited several comments.
