igerian skit maker and actor Cute Abiola has denied that his recent social media post was a critique of filmmaker Kunle Afolayan, following a public dispute over box office revenue in the Nollywood film industry.
The controversy stems from comments made by Afolayan, a renowned filmmaker, in a viral interview where he criticized the marketing demands of cinema releases. Afolayan stated he ceased producing cinema films due to exhausting marketing efforts, adding that he did not aspire to achieve high box office grosses like N1 billion or N2 billion if his personal income from such projects remained minimal. His remarks were interpreted as a reference to actresses Funke Akindele and Toyin Abraham, who recently celebrated achieving those box office milestones.
Akindele, a close associate of Abiola, subsequently alleged on Instagram that Afolayan was jealous and had been “left behind” by current industry trends. In this context, Abiola posted on X (formerly Twitter), advising his followers to “Avoid anything that will make you become an old taker.” Many social media users interpreted this as a subtle jab at Afolayan.
Facing criticism in the comment section, Abiola issued a clarification, denying his post was directed at Afolayan or any industry figure. He described Afolayan as his “leader” and stated the message was personal motivation. “Just to clarify, this tweet was not directed at Kunle Afolayan or anyone in the industry,” he wrote, adding a Pidgin English rebuke to those who “picked my tweet as subbing my leader.”
The exchange highlights a growing tension within the Nigerian film sector between traditional cinema producers and digital content creators. Afolayan’s comments question the sustainability of high-budget cinema marketing, while the success of filmmakers like Akindele in the box office arena is often contrasted with the rapid, low-cost production model of skit makers. Abiola’s denial seeks to defuse a personal conflict but underscores the divergent philosophies on success, revenue, and creative work in Nollywood. The discussion continues to spark debate on the financial realities and career paths available to artists in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
