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Why Tinubu met with Kagame- Presidency
Nigerian government has dismissed claims circulating in sections of the media and across social media platforms that a photograph showing President Bola Tinubu and Paul Kagame of Rwanda in Paris was generated through artificial intelligence (AI), describing the narrative as false, misleading, and a clear misrepresentation of facts.
The presidency made the clarification following controversy that trailed the circulation of a photograph from President Tinubu‘s meeting with President Kagame in Paris on January 4, 2026.
The image sparked intense online debate after a visible Grok watermark appeared on an enhanced version, prompting some social media users to allege that the photograph was fake or AI-generated.
Despite explanations offered by the Presidency, reactions on social media have persisted, with some users expressing skepticism over the use of AI-related tools in official communications.
The image was shared on President Tinubu’s verified X account and reposted by a presidential aide, triggering calls from Nigerians for clearer disclosure and greater caution in the handling of official photographs.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Presidency clarified that the photograph is authentic and was taken during a real engagement between the two leaders in the French capital.
According to the statement, President Tinubu and President Kagame met privately in Paris and shared lunch as part of ongoing high-level diplomatic engagements.
The two leaders later joined Emmanuel Macron for dinner the same evening, underscoring sustained continental and international consultations.
The Presidency explained that the photograph was captured with a mobile phone, which accounted for its initial poor quality. It noted that the image was subsequently enhanced using a digital image-improvement tool to improve clarity, stressing that such enhancement does not amount to the creation of an AI-generated or fabricated image.
According to it, the picture is real. It was not generated by AI, as has been wrongly suggested. The Presidency further stated that enhancing image quality after capture does not invalidate the authenticity of the moment or the meeting.
The Presidency expressed concern over what it described as hasty conclusions and inaccurate reporting, urging journalists and editors to seek clarification and verify facts before publishing claims capable of misleading the public.
While describing the development as unfortunate, Presidency officials wonder why some commentators reached sweeping conclusions without making basic inquiries. The statement added that responsible journalism demands diligence, verification, and fairness.
The clarification was signed by Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, who reaffirmed the Presidency’s commitment to transparency and accurate public communication.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria will on Thursday, deliver judgments in two cases involving the leadership crises rocking the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.
According to information on the official website of the court, the matters, listed under “Political Appeals”, have been added to the cause list for Thursday, April 30, 2026.
While judgment in the ADC matter, marked SC/CV/180/2026, has been fixed for 2 pm, there is no time yet for that if the PDP.
President Bola Tinubu has written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of fifteen nominees to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
The letter was read by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The letter seeks the reconstitution of the commission’s board in line with statutory provisions with the list comprising nominees from diverse professional backgrounds, including the media and legal sectors.
Among the nominees are the President, Nigeria Guild of Editors and Editor, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Eze Anaba; and Dr. Salamatu Hussaina Suleiman, who has been proposed as chairman of the board.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Anthony Ojukwu (SAN) is to retain his position as the Chief Executive Officer.
Other nominees include Mrs Roseline Tasha, Ambassador Adam Yubak Baku, ACG Felix Lawrence, Mr. Edmund Chinonye, Mr. Chinonye Obiaku (SAN), Oluwakemi Asiwaju Okere-Odo, Professor Adedeji Ogunji, Kingsley Chidozie, Mohammed Adelodu, Maupe Ogun Yusuf, and Otunba Francis Meshioye as members.
Also nominated are Patience Patrick and Hawwa Ibrahim, listed as members.
The President said the nominations were made pursuant to Section 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act, 2010, which empowers him to constitute the board subject to Senate confirmation.
He explained that the reconstitution of the board was necessary to enhance the commission’s institutional capacity and enable it to more effectively discharge its mandate to promote and protect human rights across the country.
If confirmed, the new board is expected to play a critical role in reinforcing the NHRC’s oversight functions, particularly at a time of heightened concerns over rights protection and accountability in Nigeria.
Following the presentation of the request, the Senate referred the nominations to its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for screening and report within two weeks.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has revealed that it investigated the founder of Streams of Joy International, Pastor Jerry Eze, for six months over suspected money laundering before clearing him.
Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Commission, disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja.
According to him, the probe was triggered by intelligence reports and petitions after the commission observed large inflows of foreign currencies into the cleric’s domiciliary account.
“We work by intelligence, we work by petitions. At some point, I saw there was an account, a domiciliary account. Dollars, pounds were dropping in like raindrops, from Colombia, from America, from Sri Lanka, even from Togo.
“I said who is this man? Yes, I’ve been hearing about his name, I’ve seen his face a couple of times. I never bothered about what he was doing. I knew he was a pastor.
“So they said this one pastor of streams of joy, go and investigate him. So we went to the investigation. We combed the books,” Olukoyede stated.
The EFCC boss said he subsequently invited Eze for questioning after preliminary findings were compiled by investigators.
He added that upon meeting the cleric and reviewing the findings of the investigation, the commission found no wrongdoing.
“So he came to my office. He told me what happens and all of that, and how the money came, what he does, how he has been helping people, and all of that.
“I said, you know what, I didn’t call you here to explain to me. We have already done our work. I called you here to commend you,” he stated.
The remark drew applause from the audience, as Eze, who was present at the event, acknowledged the commendation.
He noted that the commission has a responsibility not only to investigate financial crimes but also to recognise individuals found to have acted with integrity.
The EFCC chairman, however, stated that the agency would continue to monitor financial activities where necessary, stressing that its preventive mandate remains critical in tackling corruption.
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