Alamin Sarkinmota, the Abuja-based luxury car dealer whose viral TikTok video questioned whether Nigerian civil servants could afford a 2023 Mercedes-Benz, has responded to the backlash and warning letter issued by the National Orientation Agency (NOA).
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Appearing on Channels Television on Wednesday, Sarkinmota defended his viral content, explaining that it was satirical in nature and intended to shed light on Nigeria’s economic realities—not to mock civil servants.
In the now-viral video, Sarkinmota showcased a 2023 Mercedes-Benz C300 equipped with Artificial Intelligence. He asked the vehicle, “Can civil servants afford you?” to which the car replied, “No. Maybe in 2062.” The clip sparked both praise and outrage, eventually prompting the NOA to intervene.
In a letter signed by NOA Director-General Lanre Issa-Onilu, the agency accused the influencer of “mocking public servants” and promoting a “get-rich-at-all-cost mentality” in a fragile economic climate.
“At a time when Nigerians are passing through so much social pressure… it is wrong to be speaking in such condescending terms about Nigerian civil servants,” the letter stated.
But Sarkinmota pushed back during his TV appearance, insisting his message was misunderstood. He revealed that both of his parents are civil servants and said the video was rooted in a lived reality he understands deeply.
“About the privilege, I have to clearly state: since I started my business in 2019, nobody gave me a handout. I started by marketing cars for other dealers. They gave me N50,000, N100,000. That’s how I raised enough to buy my first car—a Peugeot 307,” he explained.
“It may shock you to know both my parents are actually civil servants. Sometimes I am looking for their trouble when they see my videos. So, no privilege,” he added.
He stressed that his content was never intended to insult anyone. “To all civil servants, I want to say that my intentions to you are very positive. I love you people more than you actually love me. My intention is to make each and every one of you a car owner.”
Despite the backlash, Sarkinmota’s bold style of marketing continues to resonate with young Nigerians disillusioned by harsh economic realities. For many, the real issue lies not in the TikToker’s satire—but in the system it exposed.
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