The Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS) has called for a full-scale investigation into alleged false cancer claims and suspected donation misconduct involving social media personality Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, amid growing outrage over the credibility of her public fundraising appeal. In a statement signed by its National Director of Publicity, Bashir Mohammed Ranccas, the Society said the controversy has sparked widespread concern and highlighted the urgent need for accountability.
According to the NCS, Blessing CEO reportedly solicited financial assistance from Nigerians on the basis of a serious health condition, attracting substantial donations from sympathetic members of the public. However, emerging allegations suggesting possible misrepresentation have cast serious doubt over the authenticity of the claims. The Society described the development as disturbing and unethical, warning that any exploitation of cancer narratives for personal gain could severely damage public confidence and jeopardise support for genuine patients battling the disease.
“Cancer is not a tool for manipulation,” the statement stressed, noting that such actions, if proven, could undermine years of advocacy and discourage life-saving generosity from donors. The NCS further announced plans to involve relevant security agencies to thoroughly investigate the matter and ensure that anyone found culpable faces appropriate sanctions.
The controversy intensified after the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Delta State chapter, disowned a histology report circulating online that had been linked to Blessing CEO. The association clarified that the document was allegedly altered from an original medical report that belonged to a different patient, Mrs. Mbara Deborah, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2025 at Xinus Medical Diagnostic. “Xinus Medical Diagnostics is located in Asaba, Delta State and did not at any time issue any report to Blessing Okoro,” the NMA stated.
Popular social media critic Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), announced that a petition he filed against Blessing CEO has been approved for investigation by the Inspector General of Police (IGP). VDM said he decided to file a petition after he personally donated money to Blessing CEO, believing her claim. On March 25, 2026, Blessing CEO shared a viral video on her Instagram page in which she tearfully claimed she had been diagnosed with stage four cancer and showed signs of hair loss. She also revealed that she had begun auctioning some of her properties to raise funds for treatment.
After facing widespread backlash and allegations that the medical report had been manipulated, Blessing CEO later retracted her earlier statement. Speaking in an interview amid the controversy, she said, “I don’t have stage four cancer. That was a miscommunication.” She further stated that the total money from the donations she got summed up to 13 million Naira. She subsequently deactivated her social media account.
A formal petition dated April 8, 2026, was also filed with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by the law firm S.M. Anyanwu & Co on behalf of Mrs. Mbara Deborah. The petition alleged that Blessing CEO used her social media influence to monetize Deborah’s health crisis under false pretenses and used an altered medical report to defraud innocent Nigerians who had donated well over ₦300 million for fake Stage Four cancer.
The NCS urged cancer patients and their families to engage only verified platforms when seeking public support, emphasizing that the Society maintains structured channels to guide fundraising efforts and patient care. It also advised donors to verify claims before making donations, noting that transparency, integrity, and trust remain non-negotiable in the collective fight against cancer.
