Nollywood’s Ogunmola Issues Tearful Apology After Film Scene Brands Yoruba Women ‘Dirty’

LAGOS – Nollywood producer and actress Bolaji Ogunmola has issued a public apology following a firestorm of criticism over a film scene that many Nigerians say reinforces a toxic and derogatory stereotype against Yoruba women.

​The controversy erupted this week after a clip from a production—filmed roughly three years ago—went viral on social media. In the scene, actor IK Ogbonna’s character tells Ogunmola’s character, “Yoruba girl, you people are very dirty.” The line immediately triggered a wave of “tribalism” accusations, with critics arguing that such dialogue fuels ethnic bigotry under the guise of entertainment.

​”Extremely Disturbing” Backlash

​Breaking her silence on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Ogunmola described the past 72 hours as “extremely disturbing.” She revealed that the backlash moved beyond artistic criticism into targeted harassment, including threats to her life and organized efforts to take down her YouTube channel.

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​“First of all, I want to apologize to well-respected Yoruba people for this error,” Ogunmola wrote. She clarified that the film was intended as a lighthearted comedy exploring cultural differences, ultimately designed to preach “love and unity” between two tribes.

​A Defense of Intent, Not Execution

​Ogunmola, who is herself of Yoruba heritage, sought to distance her personal values from the scripted dialogue. She noted that while she served as a producer, she did not write the script and possessed limited creative control over the director’s final vision on set.

​“We never intended to make a film to stereotype any tribe,” she stated. “As a proud Yoruba woman, I would never knowingly support content that undermines my people.”

​She admitted that at the time of production in 2023, the team did not fully grasp the offensive weight the line carried. The actress has now taken full responsibility for the oversight, promising to be more sensitive to cultural nuances in future projects.

​High Stakes and Award Season

​The timing of the scandal is particularly delicate for Ogunmola. She is currently riding a career high as the co-producer of the blockbuster Gingerrr, which grossed over ₦500 million at the box office and recently secured nine nominations at the 2026 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA).

​Industry analysts suggest that the swift apology was a necessary move to protect her brand and the momentum of her upcoming projects. While some fans have accepted her explanation, citing the “fictional” nature of the dialogue, others remain adamant that Nollywood must move past “tribal tropes” that have long haunted Nigerian cinema.

​As of Thursday evening, calls to boycott the filmmaker’s YouTube content have quieted, but the incident serves as a stark reminder of the social responsibility filmmakers carry in a multi-ethnic nation.