Abuja, Nigeria — June 2, 2025
The Federal Government has issued a stern warning to popular Abuja luxury car dealer, Alamin Sarkinmota, over a trending video in which he mocked Nigerian civil servants, questioning their ability to afford the premium cars he sells.
In a strongly worded letter released on Monday, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) described Sarkinmota’s recent video — where he featured a 2023 Mercedes Benz C300 with Artificial Intelligence features — as “condescending” and “damaging to national values.”
In the now-viral clip, Sarkinmota asked the AI-enabled vehicle, “Can civil servants afford you?” to which the AI voice replied: “No! Maybe in 2062.”
That joke didn’t land well.
The Director-General of the NOA, Lanre Issa-Onilu, called out the car dealer, stating that such remarks are not just insensitive but help fuel a dangerous culture that promotes wealth at all costs, even at the expense of dignity and honest labour.
“At a time when many Nigerians are battling economic hardship, rising inflation, and social pressure, mocking public servants who are the backbone of national development is not only disrespectful — it’s dangerous,” the agency wrote.
While the video was intended as a marketing gimmick, the agency said it risked undermining the value of public service and further widened the gap between citizens and the elite.
“To be a civil servant in Nigeria is to serve the country in one of the most vital roles possible. These are people who make it possible for businesses — including yours — to exist and thrive,” the NOA emphasized.
The agency went further to warn Sarkinmota against using his platform to insult or belittle any group of Nigerians, adding that he should choose his words carefully when trying to promote luxury items.
The NOA said it was compelled to respond after receiving numerous complaints from viewers who found the video distasteful.
“Let us build a country where people are respected for what they contribute to society — not just what they can afford to drive,” the statement concluded.
Sarkinmota, who is known on social media for his bold, sometimes brash car adverts, has often been criticized for trolling civil servants over their inability to afford luxury vehicles. This latest incident has clearly pushed the limits.
As of the time of filing this report, the car dealer has yet to respond to the government’s warning — but the public backlash may have already spoken loud enough.
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