Self-styled relationship and mental health expert Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has defended herself against growing criticism over her ‘cancer’ disclosure, insisting that she does not owe the public proof of her health condition.

Speaking on Arise TV in a video released on Saturday, Blessing CEO said she discovered a lump in her left breast in July last year and was initially told after a biopsy that it was not cancerous.

According to her, she delayed surgery after the first result, saying the doctor told her she could continue her normal life since the lump was not cancerous.

She said when she returned around the end of January for another check, a fresh biopsy showed that the lump had become cancerous.

“The lump was discovered July last year… they took it for biopsy. When the biopsy came out, it was not cancerous, as of July last year,” she said.

She added, “I told the doctor that I wasn’t ready for the surgery… He said, okay fine, so long as it’s not cancerous.”

Explaining what changed months later, she said, “It was when we did the biopsy January ending, that was when they found out that it was cancerous.”

Okoro also responded to those demanding medical proof, saying, “It is not in my position to convince anybody about my health issues.”

She added that although she had the necessary documents, she would not post them online.

“I have all the necessary documents here at the hospital but I don’t think it is wise for me to publish my report on social media,” she said.

On the controversy over her earlier stage four claim, she said she only shared what she was told at the time. “That was what I was told. That was my report,” she said.

Her latest comments came days after she told social media influencer Egungun of Lagos that she had nothing to apologise for over the controversy and denied claims that she received N100m in donations.

In that earlier interview, she said she raised N13m and not the widely reported N100m.

She also said she had yet to receive a final stage assessment from her oncologist and had not started chemotherapy.

The controversy has continued to generate reactions online, with some Nigerians questioning her claims and others demanding refunds from donations made towards her treatment.

A woman, Deborah Mbara, had accused her of altering medical documents, while businessman Alafaa Kariboye-Igbo, also known as Oil Money, who claimed to have donated N20m, shared a legal demand asking her to refund the money within seven days or face legal action.