The official media office of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has drawn significant attention by posting an artificial intelligence-generated image of First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu selling akara. This digital depiction emerged shortly after the First Lady faced backlash for her comments regarding micro-businesses.
The visual, shared on the social media platform X, shows the First Lady behind a roadside stall with an apron labeled “Iya Alakara, fueling the nation with love.” This follows her recent interview where she suggested that small ventures like frying akara, roasting corn, or producing kuli kuli offer accessible entry points for entrepreneurs because they require minimal startup capital. She defended the government’s approach of providing grants rather than loans to support these modest economic activities.
The image triggered a polarized response online. Critics condemned the media team, labeling the post as insensitive to the ongoing economic hardships facing many citizens. Several users argued that the move trivialized the struggles of the public, with some calling for the firing of the social media handlers responsible. Conversely, a few supporters defended the post, suggesting that the Presidency was simply engaging with the viral jokes and memes that already saturated social media following the First Lady’s original remarks.
President Tinubu himself recently referenced the “Iya Alakara” nickname during a press dinner held at the State House, signaling that the administration is aware of the social media discourse surrounding these comments. As the debate continues, the incident highlights the tensions between government communication strategies and public sentiment during a period of economic pressure.
