Presidency Affirms Authenticity of Tinubu–Kagame Paris Photograph, Dismisses AI Allegations

The Presidency has firmly dismissed claims that a widely circulated photograph showing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu alongside Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Paris was generated using artificial intelligence, describing the allegation as inaccurate and misleading. Officials say the speculation gained traction online without factual basis.

The clarification was issued on Monday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, following growing commentary across social media platforms and some media outlets questioning the image’s authenticity. According to the Presidency, the narrative surrounding the photo misrepresented the facts of the engagement.

Ajayi explained that the photograph was taken during an official meeting between Presidents Tinubu and Kagame in Paris on Sunday. He noted that the two leaders met for a private lunch as part of diplomatic engagements before later joining French President Emmanuel Macron for a formal dinner the same evening.

Addressing concerns over the image quality, Ajayi stated that the photograph was captured using a mobile phone, which affected its original sharpness. He clarified that digital tools were later used solely to enhance the clarity and visual quality of the image, a common practice in modern photography.

He stressed that image enhancement should not be confused with artificial intelligence image generation, adding that the photograph remains a true representation of the meeting. According to him, the use of digital tools to improve brightness or sharpness does not alter the authenticity of an image.

Ajayi criticised media reports that described the photo as fake, arguing that basic verification steps were ignored. He said journalists and editors should have sought clarification from official sources before publishing conclusions that could mislead the public.

The Presidency urged both the media and members of the public to exercise greater caution when assessing online content, particularly images linked to official state engagements. It warned that unverified claims, when widely circulated, can undermine public trust and distort diplomatic narratives.

Officials reiterated that the image was shared through official presidential communication channels, reinforcing its credibility and confirming that the meeting between the two leaders did, in fact, take place as reported.