Bokku Mart has issued a public apology after facing widespread criticism for a viral advertisement that many Nigerians deemed ethnically insensitive.

The controversy arose when a female influencer, Defolah, featured in a promotional video on the supermarket’s social media page on Tuesday. In the clip, she used the phrase “Omo Igbo” in a manner viewers considered derogatory toward Nigerians of South-East descent, saying:

“No Omo Igbo can cheat me.”

The statement sparked online outrage, with accusations of prejudice and calls for a boycott of the retail brand. The influencer has since apologised.

Responding on its official X handle on Friday, Bokku Mart described the remark as “offensive and hurtful”, stressing that it did not reflect the company’s values.

“We are deeply saddened and disturbed by a video recently shared online that contained offensive and hurtful language. The language used in the video was unacceptable and deeply misaligned with Bokku’s values,” the company said.

The supermarket explained that the video originated from an external influencer and was published by a third-party media agency without internal approval.

“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,” Bokku Mart said.

The company added that it has strengthened its content review procedures and vendor oversight to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Reaffirming its commitment to inclusivity, Bokku Mart said it stands firmly against all forms of discrimination:

“Bokku Mart is more than a retail brand; we are a proudly Nigerian company built on love for our people and communities. We celebrate our nation’s rich diversity and stand firmly against all forms of discrimination.”