Nigerian cancer society demands probe of Blessing CEO over fake diagnosis

The Nigerian Cancer Society has called for a formal investigation into relationship influencer Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, over allegations that she fabricated a cancer diagnosis to solicit donations from the public.

NCS Director of Publicity Bashir Mohammed Ranccas made the demand in a statement on Tuesday, describing the development as disturbing and unethical.

“Cancer is not a tool for manipulation,” the statement read, warning that such conduct, if proven, “could undermine years of advocacy and discourage life-saving generosity from donors.”

The Society said Okoro had solicited financial assistance from Nigerians and received substantial sums from sympathetic members of the public. It announced plans to involve security agencies in the investigation and called for sanctions against anyone found culpable. It also urged cancer patients and their families to use only verified platforms when seeking public support, and advised donors to exercise caution before giving.

The statement followed an earlier intervention by the Nigerian Medical Association, Delta State Branch, which dismissed a histology report circulating in Okoro’s name. The NMA said the document had been altered from an original result issued to a different patient diagnosed with breast cancer. It further stated that the named facility, Xinus Medical Diagnostics in Asaba, never issued any report to Okoro — a position confirmed by the facility’s proprietor, consultant pathologist O.A. Odigwe, who contacted the NMA branch after the report went viral.

Okoro, in an interview with Lagos-based influencer Egungun of Lagos published on Saturday, denied ever claiming a stage four diagnosis, describing the controversy as a “possible miscommunication” and dismissing calls for an apology.