The footage, which was shared by Abdulberqy Ebbo, former Special Adviser to the Governor on Digital Media and Strategy, to Niger State Governor on Monday, drew reactions from residents.
Netizens have accused the Niger State government of Umar Mohammed Bago of scam and deception after a video showing supposed Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) grant beneficiaries was revealed to be AI-generated.
The footage, which was shared by Abdulberqy Ebbo, former Special Adviser to the Governor on Digital Media and Strategy, to Niger State Governor on Monday, drew reactions from residents.
A legal practitioner in the state, Ibrahim Usman Wali wrote in response to the video, “They’re now using AI props as beneficiaries? Wow. This is a new low even for propagandists. Allah ya kiyaye!”
The video shows virtual recipients receiving credit alerts and thanking the state government. It claims to illustrate how small businesses in Niger State received grants and other support from the Niger State Small and Medium Enterprises Agency, which officials say has provided training, financial aid, and other services.
Some residents expressed concern over the realism of the video.
Mohammed Isah commented that the demonstration did not reflect real beneficiaries, saying: “I will go to my bank this morning to generate my AI account. Oga sir, make it more real than this.
“As a government official you don't need to prove Mr Governor right and wrong, Everything from you guys need to be perfectly real. Abah mana.”
Others emphasised the need for genuine beneficiaries to be shown.
Kitabu Mohammed Enagi wrote: “Don't let AI Speak on our behalf. We are yet to see and receive the said Small and Medium Enterprises grant. Avail it for the masses to enjoy.”
Some residents questioned the authenticity of the video entirely. Idris Ibrahim asked why artificial intelligence was used: “Scam why the video is AI generated.”
Similarly, Danmadanin Samarin Mokwa sought clarification about the real recipients: “Why is the AI given the testimony, what happened to the real beneficiaries? Abi na Scam.”
Calls for transparency also came from social media users focused on government accountability.
RT comrade Hanafi Saidu urged officials to provide evidence from actual beneficiaries, “Let's hear from the real beneficiaries not AI please.. stop manipulating the people.”
Concerns were also raised about the handling of media materials related to the video. Usman Ubandawaki Idris wrote, “Whoever is responsible for handling any related media houses of the government should not only be sacked but should be given a hundred strokes of case before its dismissal.
“It's an international disgrace that we now use AI generated videos to propagate the good efforts of the government. Which serious international body or neighborhood state will take this seriously even if it indeed happens?
“How on earth has the state been downgraded so low that AI videos are now the means of communicating Government efforts to its people?”
Earlier on Monday, SaharaReporters reported that the presidency shared an image of President Bola Tinubu’s meeting with Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame in Paris that appeared to have been generated or enhanced using artificial intelligence.
The image carried a watermark from the AI software “Grok.”