Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has faced criticism for sharing a picture on social media that allegedly appears to be AI-generated, sparking questions about the authenticity of a meeting with his Rwandan counterpart, President Paul Kagame. The president had posted on his verified X handle that he held a private lunch with President Kagame in Paris, France, to discuss global affairs and Africa’s role in the changing world.
According to President Tinubu, the meeting focused on positioning Africa within the evolving global landscape. The meeting took place during the president’s end-of-year break in Europe, which was confirmed by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga. However, attention shifted from the substance of the meeting to the image attached to the post, which seemed to bear a Grok AI watermark, prompting widespread reactions and questions about the image’s authenticity.
Netizens quickly raised concerns about the legitimacy of the meeting, with some users questioning whether it actually took place. The image began trending on X, with many users expressing doubt and disappointment. In response to the criticism, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, issued a statement claiming that the picture is real and not AI-generated. According to Ajayi, President Kagame and President Tinubu did meet in Paris and had lunch together, and the picture was taken with a phone but had poor quality. The photographer allegedly used Grok to improve the picture quality, which may have led to the confusion.
The controversy has sparked a debate about the use of AI-generated images in official communications, particularly in the context of high-level meetings between world leaders. The incident has also raised questions about the importance of transparency and authenticity in public discourse. As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the Nigerian presidency will address the concerns and restore public trust. The meeting between President Tinubu and President Kagame was seen as an opportunity for the two leaders to discuss key issues affecting the African continent, and it is essential that the focus returns to the substance of the meeting rather than the authenticity of the image.
