Bokku Mart, a popular retail chain in Lagos, has sparked widespread outrage online following the release of an advert video that included a controversial tribal slur directed at the Igbo ethnic group.
In the now-viral video, a young lady was seen promoting various products sold at the store, highlighting their quality, prices, and availability for Nigerians across different locations.
While demonstrating items such as garri, beans, and other staples, she drew attention to the affordability of the products at Bokku Mart, suggesting that shoppers could purchase them without being overcharged or cheated by sellers. However, it was one particular remark that drew intense backlash from social media users nationwide.
Controversial remark sparks outrage
The lady in the advert made a statement implying that Igbos are dishonest when conducting business. While showing sachets of garri and beans, she said:
“You mean I can get beans and garri Ijebu at Bokku without any Omo Igbo cheating me?”
The comment quickly drew condemnation for being a direct tribal slur, labelling Igbo people as cheaters, and feeding into negative stereotypes that many consider offensive and harmful.
Social media erupts with criticism
Netizens reacted strongly, expressing anger and disappointment over the video. Many described it as a deliberate act of profiling an entire ethnic group in a negative light for marketing purposes.
One user, @afrisagacity, commented: “So, the @bokkumartmedia team created an ad labelling Igbos as ‘cheaters.’ The ad seems like a calculated negativity campaign, exploiting existing tribal biases to draw attention to their products. This kind of marketing is disgraceful and insulting to an entire ethnic group.”
Another user, @GeneralSnow_, remarked: “Bokku is owned by Adewale Adeyemi. Until he comes out to apologize for this blatant attack on Igbos, the brand remains cancelled. You cannot profile Igbos as cheats and expect patronage from them. This is outrageous and unacceptable.”
The conversation on social media highlighted the sensitive nature of ethnic representation in advertising and the potential backlash brands face when making culturally insensitive statements.
Deleted video and ongoing discussions
The advert video has since been deleted from Bokku Mart’s platforms, but screenshots and clips continue circulating online, fueling discussions about corporate responsibility, ethnic sensitivity, and marketing ethics.
Critics argue that brands must exercise caution when using humor or stereotypes in advertisements, emphasizing that public relations missteps of this nature can cause significant reputational damage and alienate entire customer bases.
Watch video below …
The now deleted video posted by Bokku Mart: “I can get garri Ijebu at Bokku without any Omo Igbo cheating me”
Na Omo Igbo dey manufacture or sell garri Ijebu??? pic.twitter.com/Yd1C1M7Nfs
— Dera (@HeDontMakeNoise) October 28, 2025
The incident serves as a cautionary example for brands on how quickly a single remark can spark national outrage and damage consumer trust, reinforcing the importance of cultural sensitivity and ethical advertising practices in Nigeria’s diverse market.