The Nigerian film industry has been thrown into fresh drama after a viral moment involving two of Nollywood’s biggest actresses, Funke Akindele and Toyin Abraham, reignited long-standing rumours of rivalry between them.
The latest controversy erupted during the premiere of a new film by actress and producer Iyabo Ojo.
The event, which drew several stars of the Nigerian movie industry, quickly became the centre of attention after a video surfaced online showing an awkward moment between Akindele and Abraham.
In the now-viral clip, Abraham was seen approaching Akindele, seemingly attempting to greet her, but the “Jenifa” star appeared to ignore the gesture without acknowledging her colleague.
Within hours, fans began dissecting the clip, with many suggesting that the incident revealed lingering tension between the two actresses who have both dominated Nollywood for over a decade.
The drama did not end there. Shortly after the video spread online, Abraham shared a series of cryptic posts on social media that many interpreted as subtle responses to the situation.
Her posts fueled even more speculation about the relationship between the two stars and whether the long-rumoured rivalry had resurfaced.
Adding another layer to the unfolding saga, Iyabo Ojo eventually addressed the situation publicly.
According to her, disagreements between the actresses were not entirely new, and there had been attempts in the past to reconcile them.
She explained that while she once tried to mediate between both parties, she has now chosen to step back from the matter, noting that reconciliation would only happen when both actresses were ready.
Both Akindele and Abraham are among the most commercially successful filmmakers in the industry. Akindele has produced several record-breaking movies, including the blockbuster “Everybody Loves Jenifa,” while Abraham has also enjoyed massive cinema success, with her directorial debut “Oversabi Aunty” reportedly crossing the ₦1 billion mark at the box office.
