Vaseline Nigeria in collaboration with Leo Singapore launched a social media campaign leveraging the infamous “Nigerian Prince” scam trope to combat rampant counterfeit body oils flooding markets, partnering with a real Onitsha royal family member, Prince Chris Okagbue, as spokesperson.

In the social media video, Prince Okagbue confronts skepticism head-on: referencing fake prince email scams while assuring viewers he is genuine. He picks up a seemingly authentic Vaseline bottle then dramatically tosses it aside, declaring, “Fakes make people question everything, even the real thing.” The message lands hard: counterfeit Vaseline, made with untested ingredients, poses genuine skin risks.

The campaign introduces the Vaseline Authenticator a free WhatsApp-based tool letting consumers verify product authenticity in seconds. Just scan or input details for instant confirmation, making trust accessible via Nigeria’s most-used platform.

Campaign Slogan: “Don’t let fakes get under your skin.”

Asheen Naidu, Group Executive Creative Director, Leo Singapore: “This brief started as a counterfeit problem but turned out to be one of the most compelling campaigns we’ve ever made. A real Nigerian Prince fighting fakes we felt that would be quite a surprising solution to a real business problem.”

Shazan Zahir, Head of Beauty and Wellbeing, Unilever International: “Counterfeit products are a growing concern for Nigerian consumers.This initiative is about making authenticity simple to check, using a tool they already have in their pocket.”

Anirban Mullick, Head of Sales Africa, Unilever International: “This initiative is our way of fighting back. We want every Vaseline product picked up in Lagos, Abuja or anywhere in Nigeria to be the real thing.”

Developed by Leo Singapore for Unilever International, the campaign transforms a $467B global counterfeiting crisis into local action. Launching first in Nigeria ground zero for Vaseline dupes it combines cultural insight, royal credibility, and mobile-first tech to restore consumer confidence.

This isn’t just an ad. It’s a cultural moment turning scam notoriety into brand protection, perfectly calibrated for Nigeria’s marcomms landscape.