The Presidency has stirred fresh conversations on social media after the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Media Centre shared an artificial intelligence (AI)-generated image depicting First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu frying and selling akara at a roadside stall.
The image was posted days after her comments encouraging Nigerians to embrace small-scale businesses generated widespread public debate.
The AI-generated illustration showed the First Lady wearing an apron bearing the inscription, "Iya Alakara, fueling the nation with love," while preparing akara for customers.
The image was circulated through the Presidency's official social media platforms and quickly attracted thousands of reactions from Nigerians.
The post followed remarks made by the First Lady during a recent interview in which she encouraged Nigerians, particularly women, to consider low-capital businesses such as frying akara, roasting corn, and producing kuli kuli.
She explained that such ventures require relatively small start-up capital and disclosed that government support for beneficiaries was being provided as grants rather than loans.
Her comments immediately divided public opinion.
While some Nigerians praised her for highlighting entrepreneurship and self-employment opportunities, others argued that the remarks failed to reflect the economic challenges facing many households, including rising food prices, inflation, and declining purchasing power.
The publication of the AI-generated image reignited the debate, with critics describing it as insensitive and inappropriate given prevailing economic conditions.
Some social media users argued that the image trivialised the concerns of citizens struggling with the high cost of living, while others questioned the communication strategy behind the post.
Supporters of the Presidency, however, viewed the image differently.
They described it as a humorous response to the online conversation surrounding the First Lady's earlier remarks and argued that the illustration was intended as light-hearted engagement rather than an official policy statement.
The controversy gained additional attention after President Bola Tinubu jokingly referred to the First Lady as "Iya Alakara" during the Presidential Press Corps Dinner at the State House in Abuja.
The President's remark, delivered with a smile while acknowledging dignitaries at the event, further popularised the nickname that has since dominated conversations across social media platforms.
Several users on X criticised the Presidency's media team, arguing that official communication should focus more on addressing national concerns than creating viral content.
Others maintained that once the original comments became the subject of jokes and memes online, the Presidency was entitled to respond in a similar manner.
The discussion reflects the growing role of artificial intelligence in political communication, where digitally generated images are increasingly being used to shape narratives, promote public figures, and engage audiences online.
The incident also demonstrates how AI-generated content can rapidly become part of broader political conversations.
Communication analysts note that while humour can sometimes improve public engagement, it may also generate unintended reactions, particularly during periods of economic difficulty when citizens expect official messaging to focus on governance and policy issues.
The differing interpretations of the image illustrate how digital content can produce sharply contrasting public responses.
As debate over the image continues, the Presidency has not indicated whether additional AI-generated content featuring government officials will be released.
Meanwhile, discussions surrounding the First Lady's comments on entrepreneurship and the government's economic messaging remain active across social media and public discourse.