Luminee CEO faces backlash over AI photo with Baba Ijesha in priest, nun outfits
Fashion designer Abiodun Folashade Tokunbo, CEO of Luminee, ignited a social media firestorm November 10 after posting an AI-generated family portrait featuring actor Baba Ijesha dressed as a Catholic priest and herself in a nun's habit, alongside their son—all ahead of the boy's November 12 birthday.
The image drew immediate backlash. Critics flooded comment sections calling the concept "inappropriate," "nuisance," and a "double standard," with user @ellaminchis questioning why they didn't draw inspiration from their own Celestial Church instead of using Catholic vestments as "material for ridicule." Others defended it as harmless creative fun for a child's birthday.
The debate exposes a growing friction in Nigerian digital culture: AI tools now let anyone remix sacred symbols into shareable content, but the cultural reflex to protect religious dignity remains sharp. Baba Ijesha's presence amplifies attention given his public profile.
No statement has been issued by the couple or the Catholic Church in Nigeria. The photo remains on Tokunbo's social platforms as of publication.
As AI-generated imagery becomes mainstream, where should the line sit between creative expression and respect for faith traditions that millions hold dear?