The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Media Centre has shared an artificial intelligence (AI)-generated image of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, frying and selling akara, days after her remarks on small businesses generated widespread reactions across the country.
The image, which was posted on the Presidency’s official social media accounts on Friday, showed the First Lady standing behind a roadside akara stand dressed in an apron with the inscription, “Iya Alakara, fueling the nation with love.”
The social media post came shortly after Senator Tinubu’s comments on micro-enterprises such as frying akara, roasting corn and making kuli kuli drew criticism from many Nigerians who argued that her remarks did not reflect the country’s current economic realities.
Although the Presidency did not provide an official explanation for posting the AI-generated image, many social media users interpreted it as a response to the controversy surrounding the First Lady’s comments.
The image quickly attracted attention online, generating thousands of reactions, comments and shares across different social media platforms.
The debate began after the First Lady spoke during an interview about the Federal Government’s support for small-scale businesses through grants.
She explained that the administration was encouraging Nigerians, especially women and low-income earners, to embrace small businesses that require little start-up capital as a way of improving household incomes.
According to her, beneficiaries of the government’s intervention programmes were receiving grants rather than loans, allowing them to start businesses without the burden of repayment.
“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.
Her remarks immediately became one of the most discussed topics on Nigerian social media, with users expressing sharply divided opinions.
Many critics argued that the comments underestimated the economic challenges facing ordinary Nigerians, including rising inflation, high food prices, increasing transportation costs and the difficulty of raising capital to start even the smallest businesses.
Some users also pointed out that the cost of ingredients such as beans, cooking oil, pepper, onions and cooking gas has risen significantly in recent years, making businesses like akara frying more expensive than suggested.
Others argued that while small businesses remain important sources of income, many entrepreneurs still struggle with unstable electricity supply, poor access to finance, insecurity and weak consumer purchasing power.
For many Nigerians, the issue was not whether akara or corn roasting could provide a source of income but whether such businesses could still be started with minimal capital under current economic conditions.
However, not everyone criticised the First Lady’s remarks.
Some Nigerians defended her, saying she was merely using familiar examples to explain how government grants could help people establish small businesses without taking loans.
Supporters argued that micro-enterprises have long provided livelihoods for millions of Nigerians and remain one of the easiest entry points into entrepreneurship.
They also maintained that grants, unlike loans, reduce financial pressure on beneficiaries and could help many households improve their income.
The AI-generated image shared by the Tinubu Media Centre appears to reinforce that message by portraying the First Lady as someone identifying with grassroots traders and small business owners.
In the image, Senator Tinubu is seen smiling while frying akara at a roadside stand, with the slogan on her apron presenting the business as a symbol of hard work and service.
Artificial intelligence-generated images have become increasingly common in political communication around the world, with governments, organisations and public figures using them to promote campaigns, celebrate achievements or communicate policy messages.
However, such images have also raised concerns about authenticity and the possibility of misleading the public if they are not clearly identified as AI-generated content.
In this case, the image was widely recognised by social media users as digitally created, although it continued to fuel discussion about the First Lady’s earlier remarks.
The controversy comes at a time when Nigeria continues to face economic challenges despite ongoing reforms introduced by the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Since assuming office in May 2023, the Federal Government has implemented major economic policies, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market.
While government officials have defended the reforms as necessary to stabilise the economy and attract investment, many Nigerians have complained about the rising cost of living that followed the policy changes.
Inflation, particularly food inflation, has remained a major concern for households, with many families adjusting their spending to cope with increasing prices.
Against this backdrop, comments by public officials on economic issues often attract significant public attention and scrutiny.
The First Lady has, in recent months, continued to promote programmes aimed at supporting women, youths and vulnerable groups through grants, empowerment initiatives and skills acquisition.
Her office has repeatedly stated that such interventions are intended to encourage self-reliance, reduce poverty and improve livelihoods across the country.
Supporters of the programme argue that small businesses remain an important part of Nigeria’s informal economy, employing millions of people and contributing to household incomes.
Critics, however, insist that broader economic reforms, improved access to affordable credit and lower production costs are needed to create a more favourable environment for entrepreneurs.
The AI image shared by the Tinubu Media Centre has therefore become more than just a social media post. It has added another dimension to the national conversation about economic hardship, entrepreneurship and the role of government in supporting ordinary Nigerians.
As discussions continue online, the image and the First Lady’s remarks have highlighted the growing influence of social media in shaping public debate and the increasing use of artificial intelligence in political communication.