- Nollywood actress Bolaji Ogunmola has issued a public apology.
- The apology follows backlash over a controversial movie scene.
- The scene features actor IK Ogbonna making derogatory remarks about Yoruba women.
Nollywood actress Bolaji Ogunmola has publicly apologised after facing backlash over a controversial scene in one of her movies that featured derogatory remarks about Yoruba women.
The clip, which recently resurfaced online, showed actor IK Ogbonna making comments widely considered offensive. In the scene, he mocked Yoruba women with remarks about hygiene and personal habits, while Ogunmola’s character reacted during the exchange.
As the video spread across social media, many viewers criticised the production, accusing the actress of promoting harmful stereotypes.
Reacting to the controversy, Ogunmola explained that the offensive lines were not part of the original script. According to her, the actor improvised during filming, and she had limited authority to change what happened on set.
She stated that although she produced the movie, the director had final creative control during filming, making it difficult for her to immediately remove the scene.
“I didn’t write the script. It wasn’t in the script. He improvised those lines, and I couldn’t cut him. There are ways things are done in my industry. It’s a director’s film and vision,” she said.
Her explanation, however, did little to calm reactions online, as critics questioned why the scene remained in the final version of the film.
In a detailed apology, the actress admitted that the criticism has taken a serious toll on her. She revealed that she received disturbing messages, including threats to her career and personal life.
She added that some individuals threatened to report her YouTube page and directed harmful comments toward her family.
According to Ogunmola, the movie was shot about three years ago and was intended as a comedy exploring misunderstandings between two tribes before ending with unity and love.
“The insult and threat to life and livelihood I have experienced in the last three days has been extremely disturbing,” she wrote.
The actress also reaffirmed her pride in her Yoruba heritage, stating that she would never intentionally be part of content meant to disrespect her people.
“I am Yoruba, omo Ibadan ponbele ni mi… We never intended to stereotype any tribe. We genuinely wanted to make a film people will love and know we can co-exist as a united nation,” she added.
She apologised to the Yoruba community and acknowledged that, as the producer, she should have handled the situation differently, adding that she has learned from the experience and will be more careful going forward.“I am not a disrespectful person, nor would I agree to a stereotypical agenda knowingly done. Again, this is duly noted, and we truly apologise, and as the producer, I take full responsibility,” she concluded.
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