Bokku Mart Apologises Over ‘Omo Igbo’ Controversial Ad

Bokku Mart has issued an official apology following backlash over a promotional video featuring influencer Defolah Oluwafunmilayo, which many criticised for ethnic stereotyping and prompted calls for a nationwide boycott.

The controversy began on October 28, 2025, when a clip posted on Bokku Mart’s social media accounts went viral. In the video, Defolah promoted the store’s affordable staples, including garri and beans, saying: “You mean I can get beans and garri Ijebu at Bokku without any Omo Igbo cheating me?”

The phrase, widely regarded as invoking a derogatory stereotype about Igbo traders, quickly drew criticism for being tribalistic and harmful to national unity.

Defolah responded with a video apology on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “It was never my intention to promote any form of tribal bias or disrespect to the Igbo people. I am deeply sorry for my words and I have definitely learned from this.” She explained that her comment was intended to highlight fair pricing but acknowledged its offensive nature.

Bokku Mart also addressed the backlash in a statement on X, calling the content “offensive and hurtful” and “deeply misaligned with Bokku’s values.” The company noted that the video originated from an external influencer and was published by a third-party media agency without prior internal review.

“While the content originated from an external influencer and was published by a third-party media firm without prior review by our team, we take full responsibility for its appearance on our platforms,” the company said.

Bokku Mart pledged to strengthen its content approval and vendor oversight processes to prevent similar incidents in the future. The company reaffirmed its commitment to being a “proudly Nigerian company built on love for our people and communities” and vowed to “stand firmly against all forms of discrimination” while celebrating the nation’s diversity.

“Our mission is to make everyday life better for all Nigerians by ensuring access to quality products at affordable prices,” the statement added.