The 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 small-scale businesses generated widespread criticism on social media.
The image, posted on the Presidency’s official social media accounts on Friday, showed the First Lady at a roadside akara stand, wearing an apron with the inscription, “Iya Alakara, fueling the nation with love.”
The post followed remarks made by the First Lady during an interview, where she said micro-enterprises such as frying akara, roasting corn and making kuli kuli required little capital to start.
Oluremi Tinubu said the Federal Government was supporting such ventures through grants rather than loans as part of efforts to improve livelihoods and encourage small businesses.
“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 comments, however, drew mixed reactions from Nigerians, particularly on social media.
While some critics accused the First Lady of being insensitive to the harsh economic realities confronting many citizens, others defended her, saying she was merely drawing attention to small businesses that people could begin with modest support.
The president himself addressed the First Lady as Iya Alakara at an event, a situation that further heightened public reactions:
The Presidency’s decision to publish the AI-generated image has further intensified the debate.
Supporters of the post described it as a light-hearted response to critics and an attempt to reinforce the First Lady’s message on entrepreneurship and self-reliance.
Others, however, criticised the image, saying it trivialised the economic hardship facing many Nigerians, especially at a time when rising living costs have made survival difficult for households and small business owners
The controversy comes amid continuing public conversations about poverty, unemployment, food inflation and the impact of government economic reforms on ordinary Nigerians.
For many critics, the issue was not whether small businesses could support families, but whether government officials fully understood the scale of hardship being experienced by citizens.
Below are some reactions to the AI image of the First Lady selling Akara.
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.
@ceeseefirs33701 – I love you our great, down to earth First Lady.
You fry AKARA and FARM. A humble woman who’s got it all, blessed and yet as simplistic and ordinary.
Continue to teach our FAKE OUR YOUTHS, that humility is KEY TO HEAVEN.
@SenRemiTinubu , THANK YOU FOR TEACHING ME.
@kachi_nnochiri – The most tone deaf administration I’ve ever seen. But it’s okay. Time will tell.
@ChimaAmako82045 – 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.
@zlxwc – They want your own sons and daughters to be selling akara and kulikuli while they steal everything that makes Nigeria worthy of being called a country.
@mizmuchstella – Whoever is the handler of this account should be sacked. Your job is to position this child’s play of a government as “good” but it is obvious you have no basic knowledge of your job. That’s the truth!
@princess_0901_ All your generation from children to great grandchildren will sell Akara. Stupid family!
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