Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson Okojie has come under intense public scrutiny after being named brand ambassador for a menstrual care product called Girls Tag, which is priced at N25,000. The product, marketed as an all-in-one menstrual care kit for girls aged nine and older, was officially launched with Mercy Johnson and her daughter, Purity Okojie, fronting the campaign. Actress Regina Daniels was also revealed as another ambassador for the brand, further drawing attention to the product’s high price point and its positioning in the Nigerian market.
The launch quickly sparked widespread backlash on social media, with many Nigerians criticizing the cost as exorbitant and out of touch with the economic realities faced by most women and girls in the country. Critics argue that menstrual products should be accessible and affordable, especially in a nation where many girls miss school during their periods due to lack of sanitary pads. Some users pointed out that the N25,000 price tag makes the product a luxury item, not a basic necessity, and questioned the ethics of charging such an amount for a product meant for young girls.
Comments poured in from social media users, with many expressing disappointment and frustration. One user, @Lai, stated, “PHIL, not everyone is a philanthropist! X Nigeria’s problems is not everyone’s problem. She knows who are customers are…she is not interested in the average Nigerian lady or every girl child.” Another, @Ms Jorji, said, “Mercy Johnson, you are an embarrassment to women. In a country where women are struggling to afford sanitary pad, you want to charge 25k for sanitary pad.” @Rebekah added, “Nigeria is a poor country. Elitism should never extend to the basic rights and dignity of girls and women. Sanitary pads are not luxury items.”
Others questioned the target audience, with @A Tall Edo Girl commenting, “The target audience had to be baddies,” while @Ara criticized the hypocrisy of praising the product’s packaging while ignoring its unaffordability. @Okafor Gift simply asked, “Selling pad for 25k. As how???” The sentiment across many posts was that menstrual hygiene should be treated as a fundamental right, not a privilege for the wealthy.
Despite the backlash, the brand continues to position itself as a premium product with a focus on quality and dignity. However, the controversy highlights the ongoing debate about accessibility, affordability, and the role of celebrities in promoting products that may not serve the broader public interest. As Nigeria grapples with rising living costs and limited access to essential goods, the launch of Girls Tag has reignited calls for more inclusive and affordable menstrual care solutions.
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