By Paul Joseph
The Presidency has shared an artificial intelligence-generated image of First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu depicted as an akara seller, amid continued public discussions surrounding her recent remarks encouraging women to embrace small-scale businesses.
The image, posted by the President Bola Tinubu Media Centre on its official social media platforms on Friday, showed the First Lady wearing an apron branded with the inscription, “Iya Alakara, fueling the nation with love,” while frying and selling akara at a roadside stall.
The post appeared to reference the controversy sparked by Mrs Tinubu’s comments during a Renewed Hope Initiative event, where she encouraged women to consider low-cost businesses such as selling akara, roasted corn and kulikuli. She also highlighted government grants aimed at supporting petty traders and small business owners.
Her remarks generated mixed reactions across social media. While some Nigerians criticised the advice as being disconnected from the country’s current economic realities, including rising food prices and increasing production costs, others defended the comments as practical guidance for women seeking to start micro-enterprises.
The debate gained further attention after President Bola Tinubu jokingly referred to his wife as “Iya Alakara” during the Presidential Press Corps Dinner, drawing laughter from guests at the event.
The Presidency has maintained that the First Lady’s empowerment initiative goes beyond words, stressing that thousands of women have received ₦50,000 grants to establish or expand small businesses.
It also insisted that much of the criticism surrounding her remarks has been politically motivated.
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