‘Without Omo Igbo Cheating Me’ — Bokku Mart Under Fire Over Disrepecting Igbos ad

Bokku Mart, the Nigerian grocery store, has come under heavy criticism on social media after posting what users described as a “tribalistic” advertisement video.

The video, which has since been deleted, featured influencer Defolah comparing the store’s prices to those in local markets.

In the clip, she made a remark implying that Igbo traders cheat their customers.

“So you mean I can get beans and garri Ijebu at Bokku without any Omo Igbo cheating me?” the content creator said.

“It’s so relaxing to shop without someone pulling you from the left and right, shouting my colour.”

The comment triggered widespread outrage online, with several users accusing Bokku of promoting ethnic bias and disrespecting the Igbo community.

Following the backlash, Defolah issued a public apology, saying her statement was not intended to promote tribalism.

“I sincerely apologize. It was never my intention to promote any form of tribal bias or disrespect to the Igbo people,” she said.

Despite her apology, Bokku has continued to attract criticism on social media, with many users vowing to boycott its stores.

One user wrote: “Bokku Mart posted an advert insulting Igbos with slurs. Any Igbo who still patronizes them is an enemy of their tribe”.

“Do you know how brazen the Igbophobia is for a brand to endorse such? It’s like ShopRite doing an Ad in Nigeria and letting their influencer call Nigerians thieves,” another user added.

@firstladyship argued the store’s marketing strategy was “lazy and divisive”.

“By engaging in stereotyping by calling another tribe ‘cheaters,’ you reduced your business to another ethnocentric brand in existence to service just a section of the country,” she wrote.

Another user said: If you’re an Igbo person and you give your money to Bokku so they can use it and run ads to call us cheats, then you have yourself to blame.”

See more reactions below:

“Do you know how brazen the Igbophobia is for a brand to endorse such? It’s like ShopRite doing an Ad in Nigeria and letting their influencer call Nigerians thieves,” another user added.

@firstladyship argued the store’s marketing strategy was “lazy and divisive”.

“By engaging in stereotyping by calling another tribe ‘cheaters,’ you reduced your business to another ethnocentric brand in existence to service just a section of the country,” she wrote.

Another user said: If you’re an Igbo person and you give your money to Bokku so they can use it and run ads to call us cheats, then you have yourself to blame.”