Nollywood actress Bolaji Ogunmola is facing a wave of social media criticism following the release of her latest movie, Imperfect Match, which has sparked controversy for its portrayal of Yoruba women.
The film features a scene in which actor I.K. Ogbonna’s character delivers a harsh line directed at Ogunmola’s character: “Yoruba girl, you people are very dirty.” The comment has been widely condemned by netizens, who questioned why Ogunmola would participate in a project that seemingly denigrates women of her own ethnicity.
Reactions on X (formerly Twitter) were swift and often pointed. User @Zainab_Folasade wrote, “Producing stupid movies like this in 2026, then complaining she doesn’t get much views, a funny woman. Yoruba women are the butt of everyone’s jokes because they themselves don’t see anything wrong with it. Tell me why a sane person will produce something like this.”
Others echoed the sentiment. @Solarin tweeted, “@OgunmolaBolaji, you’re using all your skill and knowledge to bring down Yoruba women in your movie. That choice is not just disappointing, it’s wrong.” Meanwhile, @pearlypuss17 commented, “So you’re a Yoruba person, and you created a movie of Igbos talking down on your own people. That’s so sad, bruh. I’m half Yoruba and Igbo. You people should do better.”
Several users called for action against the film, with @Naija_CryptoLad urging mass reporting and negative reviews, and @LinaLeila459 highlighting a recurring pattern in Ogunmola’s roles portraying unkempt or mistreated Yoruba women in films with Igbo-centric narratives.
In response, Ogunmola addressed the criticism on X, noting that her character also directed insults at the Igbo ethnic group in the same film. She wrote, “Let’s also cut all the insults I dished out to him and his tribe in this same movie so we can start the tribal war now. It’s a film that doesn’t make what he said or what I said a statement of fact. I am worried Yoruba are the most welcoming, but what I am seeing is extremely worrisome.”
The incident highlights ongoing sensitivity around ethnic representation in Nollywood, as audiences continue to debate the line between storytelling and reinforcing harmful stereotypes.