Presidency confirms Tinubu–Kagame Paris photo is authentic, dismissing claims it was AI-generated due to Grok watermark on enhanced image
The Presidency has debunked claims that a photograph of President Bola Tinubu with Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Paris was artificially generated.
Also read: Grok watermark on Tinubu–Kagame Paris photo sparks debate
In a statement issued on Monday, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, described the reports and social media commentary as a “misrepresentation of facts.”
Ajayi confirmed that both leaders met and shared meals on Sunday during engagements in Paris.
“The narrative that the picture of Presidents Bola Tinubu and Paul Kagame taken in Paris yesterday was AI-generated is not correct,” he said.
He explained that the controversy arose because the original phone photograph was of poor quality and later enhanced using the Grok tool.
“The picture was taken with a phone and obviously had poor quality. The photographer only later used Grok to improve the picture quality. That is not a reason to conclude it was AI-generated,” Ajayi added.
The image, which bore the watermark of Grok, circulated widely on social media on Sunday, prompting questions about the use of AI in official communications.
President Tinubu shared the photograph on his official X account, stating that discussions with Kagame centred on global developments and Africa’s future.
His Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, also posted the same image, confirming it depicted a private lunch on Sunday, January 4, 2026.
A Community Note attached to the post had suggested the picture appeared AI-generated, citing the Grok watermark.
The controversy has sparked discussions about the use of AI-enhanced images in documenting official diplomatic engagements.
Also read: Grok watermark on Tinubu–Kagame Paris photo sparks debate
President Tinubu has been in Europe since December 28 for an end-of-year break.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
