Bolaji Ogunmola Issues Apology for Offensive Portrayal of Yoruba Women in 'Imperfect Match'

Actress and producer Bolaji Ogunmola has offered an apology to her audience, particularly those of Yoruba heritage, concerning content in her movie "Imperfect Match" that included negative comments directed at Yoruba women. The film, which premiered on March 13, 2024, and featured actors like IK Ogbonna, drew criticism after segments where Ogbonna made offensive statements about Yoruba people and their culinary traditions circulated widely online.

In a particularly contentious scene, Ogbonna's character reacts negatively to the smell of a character preparing ewedu soup, likening it to a soak-away. Another scene showed him making remarks about Yoruba women being "very dirty" and associating them with untidiness within a household setting.

These scenes quickly went viral, igniting a strong reaction on social media platforms, with many users condemning the film for perpetuating harmful ethnic stereotypes and demanding its removal from distribution channels, alongside other punitive measures.

Responding to the controversy, Ogunmola, in a statement shared via her X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, explained that the film was conceptualised as a comedy intended to explore inter-tribal relations, highlighting conflicts and eventual reconciliation through love. She described the subsequent online threats and insults she received as deeply disturbing.

"We never intended, 3 years ago, to make a film that would stereotype any tribe that was fictionalised," she stated. "We truly and genuinely just wanted to make a film people will love and know that we can co-exist as a united nation."

Ogunmola emphasized her position as an actor on set, deferring to the director's final say, and noted her personal connection to the Yoruba culture. "I am Yoruba, omo Ibadan ponbele ni mi," she affirmed, indicating her pride in her heritage. She clarified that neither she nor the scriptwriter intentionally included the offensive remarks to disrespect any group.

She further expressed regret, accepting full responsibility as the producer for the film's content. "To my people and lovers of my work. I am not a disrespectful person, nor would I knowingly agree to a stereotypical agenda. Never. I also don’t like trouble or drama. That’s why I would rather leave the room. Again, this is duly noted, and we truly apologise, and as the producer, I take full responsibility," Ogunmola concluded.

This is not the first instance of Ogunmola facing public scrutiny for her productions. In November 2025, she encountered criticism for a kissing scene involving Daniel Etim-Effiong in the movie "Summer Rain."