A Nigerian grocery chain, Bokku Mart, has issued a public apology after facing heavy criticism over a promotional video that many social media users described as “tribalistic.”
The now-deleted video featured influencer Defolah making comments perceived as discriminatory against Igbo traders.
“So you mean I can get beans and garri Ijebu at Bokku without any Omo Igbo cheating me?” the influencer said.
“It’s so relaxing to shop without someone pulling you from the left and right, shouting my colour.”
The remarks sparked outrage online, with many accusing the brand of promoting ethnic bias and disrespecting the Igbo community.
In response, Defolah clarified that her comments were not meant to encourage tribalism.
Bokku Mart’s management later released a statement expressing regret, saying it was “deeply saddened and disturbed” by the incident.
The company condemned the language used in the video, describing it as “unacceptable and deeply misaligned with Bokku’s values.”
It explained that the video was produced by an external influencer and posted by a third-party media firm without prior internal review, but noted that the company takes full responsibility for its publication.
“We are deeply saddened and disturbed by a video recently shared online that contained offensive and hurtful language,” the statement read.
“The language used in the video was unacceptable and deeply misaligned with Bokku’s values. 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.
“We have since strengthened our content approval and vendor oversight processes to ensure such an incident never happens again.
“Bokku Mart is more than a retail brand, we are a proudly Nigerian company built on love for our people and communities.
“Our mission is to make everyday life better for ALL Nigerians by ensuring access to quality products at affordable prices. We celebrate our nation’s rich diversity and stand firmly against all forms of discrimination.”