- Safiu Kehinde
The Federal Government has slammed a Nigerian car dealer, Alamin SarkinMota, over a derogatory video on civil servants.
SarkinMota had in a promotional video shared on his X handle on the 11th of May, 2025 asked an Artificial Intelligence-enabled Mercedes Benz 2023 C300 model if a Nigerian civil servant can afford it.
The AI replied that it would take until 2062 before a Nigerian civil servant can afford the car.
Reacting to the post, the National Orientation Agency (NOA), in a letter dated 20th of May, faulted the car dealer for ridiculing the Nigerian civil servants in an effort to promote his car.
The NOA condemned the video be a civil servant while emphasising on the role and impact of civil servants in Nigeria.
It stressed further that civil servants across sectors are the ones who work hard to provide enabling environment for businesses like his to thrive and prosper.
The agency charged the SarkinMota to be mindful of his choice of words while promoting his vehicles for sale to avoid hurting the sensibilities Nigerians.
The letter read; “We write in reference to a video skit that you made ostensibly to promote a Mercedes Benz 2023 C300 with Al functionalities which you showcased and asked the question “Can civil servants afford you” and the Artificial intelligence function responded to say “No! may be in 2062”.
“At a time when Nigerians are passing through so much social and in an environment where get rich at all cost syndrome is pervasive and material things are being promoted over and above dignity of labour and decent values.
“It is wrong to be speaking in such condescending terms about Nigerian civil servants.
“To be a civil servant in Nigeria as is the case in most countries of the is a very important role. Civil servants across sectors are the ones who work hard to provide enabling environment for businesses like yours to thrive and prosper.
“It is therefore indecent to speak condescendingly about Nigerian civil servants who spend many years of their lives dedicated to driving the machinery of government so that businesses like yours can thrive for the benefit of national development.
“We therefore want to caution that you mind your choice of words whenever you are promoting your vehicles for sale so that you do not hurt the sensibilities of any segment of Nigerians.
“We have taken the trouble to respond based on the feedback we are getting from many people who have watched your video skit on the 2023 C300 Mercedes Benz. Kindly please take note.
“Please accept the assurance of my best wishes as we work together to build a descent country where every cadre of citizen can thrive and be respected, a Nigeria where dignity of labour is valued over and above material things.”
See video below