A fundraising exercise that sparked widespread sympathy and controversy has taken a dramatic turn after Nigerian influencer Blessing Okoro admitted that her breast cancer story was untrue.
Titiansloaded reports that during a conversation with social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly called VeryDarkMan, the relationship coach acknowledged that she knowingly misrepresented her health condition to obtain money from Nigerians.
She revealed that the campaign generated approximately ₦13 million in contributions, with ₦5 million subsequently directed towards clearing a debt she owed to a man identified as Mr Onouha.
Explaining how the incident started, Blessing said a medical check had identified a lump in her breast.
However, she maintained that the examination did not confirm a cancer diagnosis.
Rather than communicate the actual medical findings, she said she chose to present herself as someone battling the disease because she wanted financial assistance.
The influencer disclosed that she had initially considered disposing of valuable possessions, including her vehicle and property, to raise funds.
She claimed that members of the public suggested another approach by encouraging her to release her banking information for voluntary contributions.
Following the suggestion, donations reportedly arrived from different people, eventually bringing the amount collected to ₦13 million.
Blessing also linked the decision to seek donations to the financial pressure she faced over an unpaid obligation. She explained that the possibility of being embarrassed over the debt influenced her actions.
The fundraising activities reportedly came to a halt after VeryDarkMan questioned the authenticity of her medical claims and requested supporting evidence.
Her admission marks a significant departure from her previous public statements, in which she maintained that she was seriously ill and needed assistance to finance her treatment.
The dispute dates back to March 2026, when Blessing announced that she had stage-four breast cancer. Her disclosure triggered financial contributions from Nigerians who believed she needed urgent medical intervention.
Questions about the authenticity of her diagnosis intensified after Deborah Mbara, a cancer survivor, alleged that her medical records had been manipulated and used to substantiate Blessing’s claims.
Investigations by the Delta State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association reportedly established that the document circulating online had been modified from a medical report issued to Mbara in May 2025.
The association further stated that the healthcare facility whose name appeared on the document denied preparing the report for Blessing.
The matter subsequently attracted the attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which arraigned the influencer over an alleged ₦13 million fundraising fraud.
Blessing denied the allegations when she appeared before the court and entered a not-guilty plea.
Her latest disclosure has reopened questions about the circumstances surrounding the donations and the use of money contributed by members of the public who believed they were helping to save her life
