Actress Toyin Abraham’s management has issued a clarification after comments from director Kunle Afolayan on industry earnings sparked discussion across Nollywood.
In a statement on Monday, her manager, Samuel Olatunji, said Toyin received many calls and messages following Afolayan’s recent remarks on film profitability and promotion. The management said the Over Sabi actress understood the broader point Afolayan was making about the difference between headline box office figures and actual earnings returned to producers.
Olatunji explained that after the issue gained public attention, Afolayan reached out directly to Toyin. She shared her concerns about how his comments could be interpreted, and Afolayan clarified his intentions. “Both parties have since moved on,” the statement said.
The management also dismissed claims suggesting the actress had once doubted the possibility of films reaching one billion naira at the box office. Olatunji said: “This narrative is completely untrue. She is close to industry stakeholders responsible for box office reporting and has access to certified and verifiable figures. There is no basis for doubting credible numbers.”
The statement added that Toyin has never complained about the success of any filmmaker at the box office. Her long‑standing concern has been fair and adequate cinema showtimes, which directly affect box office performance and revenue generation.
It also urged stakeholders to address structural issues in the film industry and explore sustainable models that improve returns on investment for filmmakers, rather than encourage public feuds. “For the avoidance of doubt, Mr Afolayan’s reference to ten million naira was clearly sarcastic. No producer earns ten million naira from a one billion naira or two billion naira box office performance,” it said.
Afolayan’s original comment that sparked reaction was part of a broader discussion about film promotion and profitability. He said, “There’s no competition. I don’t want two billion in cinema, or even one billion, if I won’t make ten million from it.”
The statement concluded with a message of unity and support for her latest project.
