Reactions trail Tinubu's Post of First Lady, Remi Tinubu, Fraying Akara

The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Media Centre has triggered fresh debate after posting an AI-generated image of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu frying and selling akara, days after her comments on small-scale businesses drew criticism.

The image, shared Friday, shows the First Lady at a roadside akara stand wearing an apron inscribed, “Iya Alakara, fueling the nation with love.”

The post follows Mrs. Tinubu’s recent remarks in an interview where she said businesses like frying akara, roasting corn, and producing kuli kuli require little capital to start. She said the Federal Government was supporting such ventures through grants, not loans, to improve livelihoods. 

“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 said.

Her comments sparked widespread debate. Critics accused her of being out of touch with economic realities, while supporters said she was highlighting affordable business options.

Social media reactions:

The AI image intensified discussions online. Some users called it humorous, others said it mocked Nigerians facing rising living costs.

On X, @Top_GunM wrote, “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.”

User #mizmuchstella criticized the media team: “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.”

#WilverZaddy said, “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.”

#ChimaAmako82045 described the post as an insult: “Keep enjoying this mediocrity n insult you are giving Nigerians, e just remain months to vote the idiotic family out of aso rock…”

#outtahighbee argued the Presidency was hurting its image: “lol You guys are not helping this president of ours at all... Everybody can’t sell akara and kuli kuli now Abi iru wahala wo leleyi gan sef?”

Gentry, @gentrytee22, said the image showed “how small the government of the day rates its citizens… people who wants better for themselves complain now it has to turn to a nationwide meme.”

Supportive views:

Others defended the post. Tim Oma, @SirTimeyin, wrote: “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… Now the President has added his own quota to thesame joke, and everyone is wailing… Once a national issue becomes entertainment, don’t be shocked when those in power start treating it like one too.”

User Sta M, @sto0511M, welcomed the image: “Thank you for this image we want more of these kind images to dish out to them… abeg pepper 🌶 dem more for us our body sey sweet us with that PBAT statement.”

President Tinubu on Thursday jokingly referred to the First Lady as “Iya Alakara” while speaking at the Presidential Press Corps Dinner at the State House in Abuja.