The Presidency has come under public scrutiny after an artificial intelligence (AI)-generated image depicting First Lady Oluremi Tinubu as an akara seller was shared on the official X account of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Media Centre.

The image, posted on Friday, shows the First Lady wearing an apron while frying akara, with a sign beside her that reads, “Iya Alakara – Hot and Fresh Akara.”

The post followed President Bola Tinubu’s light-hearted remark during the inaugural Presidential Press Corps Dinner at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja, where he referred to his wife as “Iya Alakara,” a Yoruba expression that translates to “mother of the akara seller.”

The reference also comes days after the First Lady, at the launch of the Renewed Hope Initiative’s Flow with Confidence campaign in Abuja, encouraged women and young people to embrace small-scale businesses that require minimal start-up capital, including selling akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli.

However, the AI-generated image quickly stirred debate on X, with users expressing varying opinions over the post.

Some critics described the image as inappropriate and insensitive, questioning why it was shared by an official presidential media platform.

One user, @DeLta, wrote: “Official handle of the president media? This is not comical as it should look. It is utterly ridiculous and grossly insulting.”

Another user, @Truth Zone, questioned the authenticity of the account, saying: “Someone please tell me this is a parody account because there is no way the president’s media team is brazenly mocking and trolling suffering Nigerians this way.”

Others argued that the post diverted attention from more pressing national issues, while some viewed it as an attempt to reinforce the First Lady’s message on entrepreneurship.

In contrast, a number of users defended the image, with @D-ZBSI commenting that there was dignity in small-scale businesses such as selling akara.

The AI-generated image continues to generate mixed reactions across social media, with supporters and critics divided over its message and appropriateness.