The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Media Centre has sparked widespread reactions after sharing an AI-generated image depicting First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, frying and selling akara, days after her comments on small-scale businesses triggered public debate.

The image, shared on Friday, shows the First Lady running a roadside akara stand while wearing an apron bearing the inscription, "Iya Alakara, fueling the nation with love."

The post followed Mrs Tinubu's recent remarks in which she said businesses such as frying akara, roasting corn and producing kuli kuli require relatively little capital to establish. She explained that the Federal Government was supporting such ventures through grants rather than loans to help Nigerians improve their 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 generated mixed reactions, with critics arguing that they reflected a disconnect from the country's current economic realities, while supporters maintained that she was simply highlighting affordable business opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs.

The AI-generated image has since intensified conversations on social media. While some users viewed it as a lighthearted response to the criticism, others described it as insensitive to Nigerians grappling with the rising cost of living.

On X, user @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."

Another user, #mizmuchstella, criticised the Presidency's media team, saying, "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."

Similarly, #WilverZaddy questioned the appropriateness of the post, accusing the President of mocking citizens at a time of economic hardship and worsening insecurity.

User #ChimaAmako82045 also condemned the image, describing it as an insult to Nigerians, while #outtahighbee argued that the Presidency's media team was damaging the President's public image rather than strengthening it.

Another user, #gentrytee2, said the image demonstrated how little the government valued ordinary Nigerians, describing it as "a nationwide meme."

However, not everyone shared that view.

Defending the post, #SirTimeyin argued that Nigerians had already turned the First Lady's comments into memes, skits and jokes before the Presidency joined in. According to the user, it was unsurprising that the government embraced the same humour after the issue had become a subject of online entertainment.

Another supporter, #sto0511M, welcomed the image and encouraged the Presidency to continue releasing similar content.

The development comes a day after President Bola Tinubu jokingly referred to the First Lady as "Iya Alakara" (Mama Akara Seller) during the Presidential Press Corps Dinner held at the State House in Abuja.