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.
I am deeply sorry for my words and I have definitely learned from this. pic.twitter.com/RWXEDECuR1
— Defolah_Bby (@DefolahBby) October 28, 2025
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”.
Are the Igbos the only people selling garri & beans in the market? The owners of Bokku took the lazy-man’s route to market their stores.
By engaging in stereotyping by calling another tribe ‘cheaters,’ you reduced your business to another ethnocentric brand in existence to…
— NEFERTITI (@firstladyship) October 28, 2025
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. https://t.co/tJUKlxMRgk
— War Baby (@izagazin) October 28, 2025
It's 2025 and brands are still openly relying on ethnic stereotyping in their marketing.
Can't believe a brand as big as Bokku thinks it's acceptable to advertise using the phrase "without any omo igbo cheating me." https://t.co/Kq8HKcfn1z
— Ego Oyibo🎀 (@adanne_x) October 28, 2025
Dear Umu Igbo worldwide, please don’t ever Patronize Bokku Mart @bokkumart .
They are profiling us as cheats,criminals.As Nwa afor, spread this message and hold this malice till they do video apology. pic.twitter.com/d8S1eXR6i5
— The General Snow 🇨🇮 (@GeneralSnow_) October 28, 2025
everyone on Bokku’s marketing team needs to take accountability for that embarrassing ad. even if the creator decided to be reckless, your job as the brand’s representative is to catch that. you can’t let something that careless go out with the brand’s name on it.
— ‘Femi (@thefemianthony) October 28, 2025
Bokku is owned by Adewale Adeyemi.
Until he comes out to apologize for that attack on Igbos, they remain cancelled.
You don’t profile Igbos as cheats and expect patronage from them.
God pun!sh your papa!— The General Snow 🇨🇮 (@GeneralSnow_) October 28, 2025
