Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson Okojie has publicly challenged Power Oil over what she says is the continued use of her image in the brand’s advertisements, four years after her contract with the company ended.
The actress raised the issue on Instagram on Monday, September 28, 2026, questioning why Power Oil was still using her photos on billboards, buses, and other promotional materials without consulting her team or compensating her.
Mercy Johnson said she had noticed that her image was still being used to promote the brand despite the expiration of her contract.
“Help me ask @poweroilng why? It has been years; I have not been paid or compensated for my image being used after my contract expired,” she wrote.
“You are still pushing ads with my image on them without consulting me. Why? Please check your DM and revert to my team.”
Mercy Johnson shares evidence of billboard
The actress later shared a video showing a Power Oil billboard featuring her image at Nana Plaza in Wuse 2, Abuja.
According to Mercy Johnson, the billboard is one of several instances where she has seen her image being used by the brand after the end of their agreement.
She also claimed that her image could still be found on buses and other advertising materials.
The actress questioned whether the same situation would happen to an Indian entertainer, asking Power Oil whether it could use an artist’s image in India after the end of a contract.
“Can you do this to an Indian artist? Using their image without permission? Why? I ask again?” she said.
Actress asks Nigerians to document the adverts
Mercy Johnson has also asked members of the public to help her document any Power Oil advertisements that still carry her image.
She urged people who come across the adverts or billboards to record them and include the location, date and time before sharing the evidence with her.
Her public complaint has brought renewed attention to an issue that frequently sits behind celebrity endorsement deals: what happens to an entertainer’s image after the agreed campaign period ends.
In endorsement agreements, brands and celebrities typically negotiate the period and conditions under which a celebrity’s name, likeness, and image can be used. The specific terms of Mercy Johnson’s agreement with Power Oil have not been made public.
Power Oil yet to respond
As of the time of publication, Power Oil has not publicly responded to Mercy Johnson’s allegations.
The actress has asked the company to respond to her team and explain why her image is still being used four years after she says their contract ended.
For now, the dispute remains between Mercy Johnson’s account of the situation and the brand’s yet-to-be-stated position.
