NaijaChoice News – Lagos, March 30, 2026
Nollywood’s two biggest box-office queens, Funke Akindele and Toyin Abraham (also known as Toyin Ajeyemi), are once again trending — but this time not for a blockbuster film. A tense moment captured on video at the star-studded premiere of Iyabo Ojo’s new movie The Return of Arinzo on Sunday evening, March 29, 2026, has sparked fresh drama, unfollows, and heated debates across social media.
Here’s the complete, no-spin breakdown of what actually went down, why it matters, and the long history behind the awkward encounter.
The Incident: What the Viral Video Shows
The premiere took place at the Balmoral Event Centre on Victoria Island, Lagos. Iyabo Ojo, who produced and stars in the film (slated for cinema release on April 3), hosted a glamorous red-carpet event packed with A-list Nollywood stars.
In the now-viral clip (widely shared on Instagram, YouTube, and X), Toyin Abraham approaches the table where Funke Akindele is seated alongside Iyabo Ojo and fellow actress Mercy Aigbe. Toyin, appearing warm and respectful, greets Iyabo and Mercy first. She then turns to Funke, clearly saying “Aunty Funke” twice while leaning in.
Funke Akindele keeps her gaze fixed elsewhere — reportedly on the MC or stage — and does not acknowledge the greeting at all. Toyin tries once more before turning away, visibly embarrassed. She exchanges pleasantries with others at the table before walking off. The entire moment lasts just seconds but has been looped millions of times online.
NaijaChoice News confirms multiple eyewitness-style videos from different angles show the same sequence: no response, no eye contact, no smile. It was not a case of Funke simply missing the greeting — the snub was unmistakable.
The Immediate Aftermath: Unfollows and a Strong Statement
Within hours of the premiere, reports emerged that Toyin Abraham had unfollowed Funke Akindele on Instagram. In a widely circulated video clip (shared by entertainment blogs and gossip pages), Toyin made comment saying: “I have unfollow her, God forbid bad thing, If I ever greet her again that means i am a bastard.”, but was later deleted.
Funke reportedly returned the gesture shortly after — both actresses are now no longer following each other on the platform. Neither has issued an official statement as of this morning (March 30), and their teams have remained silent.
The Deeper Backstory: Years of Rumoured Rivalry
This is not the first time tensions between the two have surfaced. The rumoured beef dates back to 2021, when their films Omo Ghetto: The Saga (Funke Akindele) and The Ghost and the Tout Too (Toyin Abraham) dropped around the same period. Fans pitted the two against each other in box-office wars, comparing earnings, hype, and star power. Funke’s film went on to smash records, while Toyin’s also performed strongly — but the online comparison never really died.
Over the years, social media users kept the narrative alive, even when both women publicly dismissed rivalry talk. In 2024 and early 2025, there were signs of thawing: the pair exchanged pleasant social media comments, appeared cordial at events, and were even seen laughing together at another premiere. Many believed the chapter was closed.
Sunday’s snub suggests the underlying tension may never have fully disappeared — or a fresh trigger (yet to be revealed) reignited it.
Public Reactions: Divided Nollywood Fans
Social media exploded with takes:
Some praised Funke for “keeping it real” and refusing to pretend. Comments like “If I don’t like you, I no fit pretend” and “Let’s keep it real” flooded Instagram.
Others slammed the snub as disrespectful, especially at a colleague’s event. “No matter the beef, respect the host and the occasion,” was a common sentiment.
A third group defended Toyin’s attempt to greet publicly, arguing it showed maturity while exposing Funke’s attitude.
Memes, GIFs, and prayer emojis for “peace in Nollywood” have dominated timelines since last night.
What This Means for Nollywood
Public spats like this are not new in the industry, where personal egos, business competition, and blurred professional lines often collide. Both Akindele and Abraham are powerhouse producers who have repeatedly broken box-office records and elevated Yoruba-language cinema to national (and even international) levels.
Yet incidents like this fuel the narrative that female stars in Nollywood struggle with unity. Fans have urged the two to settle any issues privately, warning that public drama risks overshadowing their talent and the success of projects like The Return of Arinzo.
As NaijaChoice News gathered from industry insiders, neither side has commented officially, and the movie’s buzz is now split between excitement for its revenge-themed storyline and this off-screen tension.
The Return of Arinzo premieres in cinemas on April 3. Whether this episode fades or escalates remains to be seen — but for now, Nollywood fans are watching closely.
What do you think? Is the snub justified, or should professionalism always come first at public events?
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