When the emotional videos of self-styled relationship expert Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, went viral last month, they drew an outpouring of sympathy from Nigerians. Many were moved to tears and said heartfelt prayers for her
The 36-year-old shared the videos on her Instagram account (@officialbblessingceo) on March 25, claiming she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and appealing for financial support to cover her treatment.
The video then cuts to showing how Okoro was supposedly auctioning a mansion and a luxury jeep, believed to be hers, as well as a series of wigs, to afford cancer treatment.
In another emotive video where she shared her bank account details, she said, “I have been diagnosed with breast cancer. At this point, an urgent surgery is needed for amputation to stop the spread or to determine how far the spread has gone. So, they will take off one of the boobs or both of them.
“Trust me, it’s been a very hard decision to come here (online), but the truth is, when predicaments like this come for you, you become powerless. I may not be able to do anything –work or influence. Resources have gone into this, and that’s why I’m here, pleading.
If I have ever helped you before. If my words have ever shown any positive impact on your life, if you’ve ever said, ‘Blessing CEO, I love you,’ this is the time to show it. Thank you so much for the love; my phone is buzzing. Nothing is too small. I just want to be fine. I’ve put up my account number on this video, and I’m hoping to start the surgery as soon as possible,” Okoro said.
In a follow-up video, Okoro claimed to have first noticed a lump growing in her breast and decided to go to the hospital for tests.
“Weeks after the tests, I was told it was not cancerous, so I decided not to remove it at the time because I had a lot going on.
“But when I was ready to have it removed, another test was carried out, and it was discovered that the lump was cancerous and had spread to the left breast. We are now considering an amputation,” Okoro added.
Doctors fault ‘stage 4’ claims
Expectedly, Okoro’s cancer survivor story resonated strongly with many Nigerians, who shared stories of families and friends battling cancer, as well as others who have lost loved ones to the deadly illness.
But the Nigerian medical community viewed her story with much scepticism, citing some inconsistencies in her claims and asking for verifiable evidence.
Responding to the videos, a medical doctor and co-founder of Priv Health, Dr Olusina Ajidahun, faulted the attempts of public figures like Blessing Okoro, who he said make it look like physicians in the country do not know what they are doing.
He clarified that stage four breast cancer means the cancer has spread beyond the breasts to other distant organs such as the liver, lungs, and brain.
“Now you came with a video saying that doctors want to do a mastectomy to confirm how far the cancer has spread? How? You already said stage 4. Which doctor told you they want to remove your entire breast to know how far it has spread?
“Just to mention, it is unlikely that you would undergo a mastectomy for stage 4 breast cancer. Other therapies will most likely be considered because the cancer has left the breast, except perhaps to reduce the size. So, what’s the truth exactly? All these stories will just keep worsening the mistrust in our health system,” he noted.
Corroborating Ajidahun, Dr Clare Okafor debunked Okoro’s claim that a mastectomy is needed for stage 4 breast cancer, noting that this does not align with standard oncology protocols.
“In true stage 4 breast cancer, surgery is rarely the first or primary step — systemic therapy (chemo, targeted drugs, etc.) usually takes precedence since the disease is already beyond the breast.
“Blessing CEO, if this is genuine, please share verifiable medical reports, biopsy results, or hospital details. Nigerians have been burned too many times by emotional appeals that turned out questionable. Real patients deserve support without the cloud of doubt,” she said.
with media personality Ifedayo Olarinde (also known as Daddy Freeze) on April 1, Okoro disclosed that her doctor had advised her not to speak publicly about the matter too soon.
“My doctor said, when you’re going through stuff like this, you should announce it when you are done. It’s like when you’re pregnant. Because you don’t want people monitoring, you have friends, you have enemies. That was the advice he gave to me. So, it wasn’t as if I woke up and just started asking Nigerians for money,” she explained.
Within a few days, the details of Okoro’s claims came under intense scrutiny, and the narrative began to change as she gradually revised her story.
Speaking with Daddy Freeze, Okoro said she resorted to seeking funds even before knowing the full cost of her treatment.
The 36-year-old added that her surgery had to be postponed due to intense online backlash and noted that additional tests and post-operative care could drive expenses higher.
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