Iya Alakara: Nigerians React As Tinubu’s Media Posts AI Image Of First Lady Selling Akara

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.”

Naija News reports that 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 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.

@SirTimeyin – 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 thesame 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.

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!

@iamdark_014 – No African country will post this fool with the presidency official media blog, but this is Nigeria. Nice one.

@sto0511M – Thank you for this image we want more of these kind images to dish out to them so that theh can continue roaming in 1 roundabout,abeg pepper 🌶 dem more for us our body sey sweet us with that PBAT statement.

@Chuka_poundzy – Nigerians are useless, see as your iyalakara and her husband take weaponize poverty and useless people like his followers are using this to catch cruise.

@gozie_cyril – A useless government that is bereft of any idea to lead a nation. Foolish people.

@CeleNotBaba – You deliberately implement
economic policies that destroy livelihood of Nigerians and therefore put people in poverty. You now mock people who you deliberately put in chains of poverty.
These evil pieces of shit keep mocking Nigerians relentlessly 😠. Nigerians must revolt.

@Alameenzabi – May god destroy this government, heartless set of people now our suffering is become joke

@Tiwa_thejuice Branding for the olodos! Need these disgusting olodos to show me one thriving economy that is driven by commercial snacks! A bunch of thieves and olodos.