AI-Generated Images Falsely Link President Bola Tinubu to Hospital Visit of Anthony Joshua
The Viral Claim and Its Emotional Impact
In late December 2025, a series of images began circulating widely across Facebook[1], Instagram[2], and other social media platforms[3], purporting to show Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu seated beside British heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua[4] in a hospital room. The posts claimed that President Tinubu had personally visited Joshua following a car accident in Ogun State. Given Joshua’s global fame and the tragic circumstances surrounding the accident, which involved the deaths of two people close to him, the images quickly attracted public attention. Many users shared the visuals as a sign of presidential empathy and leadership, while others treated them as confirmation of a high-level state response to the incident.
The emotional weight of the situation played a significant role in how quickly the claim was accepted. In moments of tragedy, audiences are often more susceptible to visual narratives that appear compassionate or symbolic. However, CyberPoe’s investigation shows that the images telling this story were not genuine photographs but synthetic creations.
What Actually Happened in Ogun State
Anthony Joshua was involved in a vehicle collision in Ogun State in December 2025.[1] While Joshua himself sustained only minor injuries, the incident had devastating consequences for his inner circle. Two individuals close to him, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, lost their lives. The tragedy prompted widespread public sympathy and official responses from Nigerian leaders. President Bola Tinubu acknowledged the incident publicly and confirmed that he spoke with Anthony Joshua and his mother by phone, offering condolences and support during a difficult moment.
Separately, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, along with the Governor of Lagos State, made verified hospital visits. These visits were documented through official channels and credible media coverage. Importantly, no such documentation exists for a hospital visit by President Tinubu himself.
Digital Forensics and AI Detection
CyberPoe conducted a detailed forensic analysis of the images shared online. Using Google’s SynthID detection tool, investigators identified embedded digital watermarks that are invisible to the human eye but designed to mark content generated or modified by generative AI systems.
The presence of these markers confirms that the images were not captured by a camera at a real-world event but were instead produced using artificial intelligence.
SynthID[1] is widely recognized as a reliable method for identifying AI-generated media, particularly as synthetic images become increasingly realistic. In this case, the detection leaves little room for doubt. The visuals were manufactured and then presented as documentary evidence of a presidential hospital visit that never occurred.
Official Clarification and Denial
The Nigerian presidency moved quickly to address the misinformation. Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, issued a clear denial in a statement to Reuters. He stated unequivocally that the president did not visit Anthony Joshua in hospital. According to Bwala, the president’s involvement was limited to a phone call expressing condolences and solidarity with Joshua and his family.
This clarification aligns with the absence of any verified photographic, video, or eyewitness evidence placing President Tinubu at the hospital. In cases involving heads of state, official visits are typically documented through multiple independent sources, none of which corroborate the viral claim.
How AI-Generated Misinformation Spreads
This incident highlights a growing and concerning trend in digital misinformation. AI-generated images are increasingly being used to fabricate high-profile events, especially during moments of crisis. By blending real people, real tragedies, and realistic visuals, such content can convincingly simulate reality. Once shared widely, these images can be difficult to correct, even after official denials are issued.
The Tinubu–Joshua case demonstrates how easily synthetic media can exploit public emotion, celebrity status, and political authority to construct a false narrative that appears credible at first glance.
Conclusion
The images claiming to show President Bola Ahmed Tinubu visiting Anthony Joshua in hospital are entirely fabricated. They were created using artificial intelligence and falsely presented as evidence of a real event. While the car accident and resulting loss of life were tragically real, the presidential hospital visit depicted in the viral images did not occur. Official statements, credible reporting, and digital forensic analysis all confirm this conclusion.
CyberPoe’s verification underscores the importance of skepticism and source verification in the age of AI-generated content. As synthetic media becomes more sophisticated, the responsibility
to question viral visuals becomes even more critical. This case serves as a reminder that not everything that looks real online reflects reality.
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