The Niger State government led by Governor Umar Mohammed Bago has faced accusations of scam and deception following the release of a video purporting to show Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) grant beneficiaries, which was later revealed to be AI-generated.

The footage, shared by Abdulberqy Ebbo, former Special Adviser on Digital Media and Strategy to the Governor, depicted virtual recipients receiving credit alerts and thanking the state government. The video claimed to showcase grants and support from the Niger State Small and Medium Enterprises Agency, including financial aid and training.

However, residents and social media users quickly raised concerns about its authenticity.

• Ibrahim Usman Wali, a legal practitioner, criticized the video: “They’re now using AI props as beneficiaries? Wow. This is a new low even for propagandists. Allah ya kiyaye!”
• Mohammed Isah commented: “I will go to my bank this morning to generate my AI account. Oga sir, make it more real than this.”
• Kitabu Mohammed Enagi added: “Don’t let AI speak on our behalf. We are yet to see and receive the said SME grant. Avail it for the masses to enjoy.”

Questions about transparency and government accountability dominated online discussions, with many demanding evidence from real beneficiaries rather than AI-generated simulations.

• RT Comrade Hanafi Saidu urged: “Let’s hear from the real beneficiaries, not AI please… stop manipulating the people.”

Critics also condemned the handling of media by government officials, calling the video an international embarrassment.

This incident follows similar concerns raised earlier when the presidency shared a meeting image of President Bola Tinubu and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame in Paris that appeared AI-generated or enhanced.