Retail brand, Bokku Mart, has tendered an unreserved apology following massive backlash over its viral “Omo Igbo” advertisement, which many Nigerians described as ethnically insensitive and divisive.
The advert, which circulated widely on social media platforms earlier this week, was criticised for reinforcing negative stereotypes against the Igbo ethnic group. Social media users accused the company of promoting ethnic bias in a country already grappling with fragile unity.
In a statement released on Saturday, Bokku Mart acknowledged the public concern, admitting that the content of the advert was “inappropriate and regrettable.” The company stated that it had withdrawn the ad from all platforms and promised to improve its internal review process to prevent future occurrences.
“We sincerely apologise to all Nigerians, particularly members of the Igbo community, who felt offended by the recent advert. The message was not intended to insult or stereotype anyone, and we take full responsibility for the oversight,” the company’s management said.
The apology has since sparked mixed reactions online, with some Nigerians commending the brand for taking responsibility, while others called for more cultural sensitivity training for marketing teams in corporate Nigeria.