The Presidency has ignited another wave of public debate after the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Media Centre shared an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated image portraying Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, frying and selling akara, a development that comes just days after her comments on small-scale businesses generated widespread reactions across the country.

The digitally created image, published on the Presidency’s official social media platforms on Friday, depicts the First Lady operating a roadside akara stand while wearing an apron bearing the inscription: “Iya Alakara, fueling the nation with love.” The post has since gone viral, attracting thousands of reactions from Nigerians, with opinions sharply divided over its appropriateness amid the country’s prevailing economic challenges.

The image was released against the backdrop of comments recently made by the First Lady during an interview in which she encouraged Nigerians to consider micro-enterprises as viable means of livelihood. According to her, businesses such as frying akara, roasting corn and producing kuli-kuli require relatively little capital to establish and could provide sustainable income for many households.

Mrs. Tinubu explained that the Federal Government’s economic empowerment programme was focused on providing grants—not loans—to support low-income entrepreneurs, particularly women operating 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 stated.

Her remarks immediately sparked intense debate across social media platforms, with many Nigerians arguing that the comments appeared disconnected from the harsh economic realities confronting millions of citizens. Critics maintained that encouraging educated youths and unemployed Nigerians to venture into petty trading failed to address deeper structural challenges such as unemployment, inflation, insecurity and declining purchasing power.

Others, however, defended the First Lady, insisting that her comments merely highlighted practical business opportunities available to ordinary Nigerians and reflected the government’s commitment to supporting grassroots entrepreneurship through financial empowerment initiatives.

The release of the AI-generated image has further amplified the controversy, with supporters interpreting it as a humorous response to critics, while opponents described it as insensitive and dismissive of the economic hardship facing many Nigerians.

Reacting on X, a user identified as @Top_GunM expressed disappointment over the development.

“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,” the user wrote.

Another social media user, identified as #mizmuchstella, criticised those managing the Presidency’s social media platforms, arguing that the content undermined rather than improved the government’s public image.

“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,” the user stated.

Similarly, another X user identified as #WilverZaddy accused the Presidency of making light of the country’s economic challenges.

“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,” the post read.

Another commentator, #ChimaAmako82045, described the image as an insult to Nigerians struggling under difficult economic conditions.

“Keep enjoying this mediocrity and insult you are giving Nigerians. It just remains months to vote the family out of Aso Rock. Enjoy it while it lasts, but remember it won’t last forever,” the user posted.

Also reacting, #outtahighbee argued that the Presidency’s media team was inadvertently damaging the image of President Tinubu rather than protecting it.

“Lol. You guys are not helping this president of ours at all. You think you are, but you keep dragging the old man down with this cruise. Everybody can’t sell akara and kuli-kuli. What kind of problem is this?” the user wrote.

Another contributor, #gentrytee22, described the image as evidence that the government underestimated the aspirations of Nigerians.

“This is to show how little the government rates its citizens. You advocate mediocrity and call it innovation. Those who desire something better complain, and now it has become a nationwide meme used by the government itself. It’s a shame,” the user stated.

Highlighting the country’s rising cost of living, #AminJaman noted that even the akara business being promoted had become increasingly difficult because of soaring production costs.

“Even akara has become more expensive because beans, cooking oil and transport costs continue to rise. The smile is beautiful, but behind it lies the reality of high food prices, expensive cooking gas and declining purchasing power,” the post read.

Not all reactions were critical, however.

A user identified as #SirTimeyin defended the Presidency’s decision to publish the AI image, arguing that Nigerians themselves had earlier turned the First Lady’s comments into internet jokes and 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,” the user wrote.

Similarly, another supporter identified as #sto0511M welcomed the image and encouraged the Presidency to continue releasing similar content.

“Thank you for this image. We want more of these kinds of images. Pepper them more,” the user posted.

The latest controversy comes barely 24 hours after President Bola Tinubu himself jokingly referred to his wife as “Iya Alakara”—meaning Mother of the Akara Seller—during the Presidential Press Corps Dinner held at the State House in Abuja.

While observing protocol before delivering his remarks, the President smiled as he acknowledged dignitaries present before turning to recognise the First Lady with the now widely discussed nickname.

The moment, captured in a video later shared by Aso Rock TV, drew laughter from guests at the event and quickly circulated across social media, where it further fuelled conversations surrounding the First Lady’s earlier comments.

The Presidency has not issued any formal statement explaining the rationale behind the AI-generated image or responding to the criticisms that followed its publication.

Nevertheless, the development has once again placed the Tinubu administration at the centre of a national conversation about public communication, economic hardship and the sensitivity required when addressing issues affecting millions of Nigerians grappling with rising inflation, unemployment and declining living standards.

As debates continue online, the AI image has become yet another symbol in the broader discussion over how political leaders communicate government policies and engage with citizens during periods of economic difficulty.