Entertainment
‘N10m Box Office Remark Was Sarcastic’, Toyin Abraham Clarifies Kunle Afolayan’s Comments
Actress Toyin Abraham’s management has clarified recent comments attributed to filmmaker Kunle Afolayan regarding box office earnings, explaining that his mention of a producer earning #10 million from a #1 billion or #2 billion cinema gross was meant sarcastically, not as a factual statement.
In a statement released on Monday, Abraham’s manager, Samuel Olatunji of The Hype Agency, noted that the actress had received numerous calls and messages requesting her reaction to Afolayan’s remarks on film profitability and promotion in Nollywood.
However, it added that the tone of the comments, which circulated from Afolayan’s film premiere, was perceived by some in the industry as dismissive of the significant effort, financial risk, and sacrifices made in building Nollywood, especially by women.
According to the statement, Afolayan personally reached out to Abraham to clarify his remarks after the issue gained traction publicly.
“Mr Afolayan clarified the context and intent of his remarks, and the issue was addressed maturely. Both parties have since moved on,” the statement said.
The management described it as unfortunate that some expected Abraham to publicly attack or criticise Afolayan, stressing that their professional relationship, which spans many years, has never been contentious.
The statement also dismissed circulating claims that Abraham remained silent because she had previously questioned whether films could gross ₦1 billion at the box office.
“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,” it said.
Further, the statement emphasized that Abraham has never objected to the box office success of any filmmaker. Her focus has consistently been on ensuring fair and adequate cinema showtimes, which directly influence box office performance and revenue.
While recognising the achievements of filmmakers currently posting top box office numbers, the statement described these milestones as commendable, especially in an industry ecosystem that remains largely challenging for producers.
“These successes have been recorded despite rising production costs, limited screens, revenue-sharing structures and multiple statutory deductions. Despite these challenges, the industry continues to grow and break new ground,” it added.
“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,” the statement concluded.
The management called on industry stakeholders to use the moment to address structural challenges and explore sustainable models that improve returns on investment for filmmakers, rather than fuel public disagreements.
The clarification comes amid social media controversy following Afolayan’s recent remarks on film promotion and box office culture.
-Leadership
Education
NFVCB Boss Urges Stronger Distribution Channels As Coal City Film Festival 2026 Opens In Enugu
The Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Dr Shaibu Husseini, has called for stronger distribution frameworks within Nigeria’s film industry to ensure that locally produced content achieves global visibility.
Dr Husseini made this call while delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 2026 edition of the Coal City Film Festival, held in Enugu.
Welcoming participants to the festival, Dr Husseini expressed his personal delight at hosting the event in Enugu, his birth state, noting the city’s rich cultural heritage and longstanding contributions to Nigeria’s creative landscape.
He commended the festival organisers, particularly the Festival Director, Uche Agbo, for their resilience and commitment in sustaining the initiative.
According to him, the Coal City Film Festival has grown into a significant cultural platform and a must-attend cinematic event in South East Nigeria.
Speaking on the festival’s theme, “Local Stories, Global Screens,” Dr Husseini emphasised the importance of authenticity in storytelling. He noted that films rooted in local realities, languages, and cultural truths often resonate more strongly with global audiences.
He cited notable Nigerian productions such as “King of Boys” by Kemi Adetiba, “The Wedding Party” by Mo Abudu, “Anikulapo” by Kunle Afolayan, “Black Book” by Editi Effiong, and “Lionheart” by Genevieve Nnaji as examples of culturally grounded stories that have gained international recognition on platforms such as Netflix and at global film festivals.
While acknowledging the growth in film production across Nigeria, the NFVCB boss identified distribution as a major bottleneck in the industry. He observed that many high-quality films struggle to reach audiences both locally and internationally due to limited distribution channels.
Dr. Husseini therefore urged film festivals across the country to evolve beyond networking platforms into active marketplaces where filmmakers can secure distribution deals. He stressed that festivals must attract distributors, exhibitors, streaming platforms, and marketers to create tangible opportunities for filmmakers.
“Film festivals must become gateways to distribution where filmmakers leave not just with applause, but with real opportunities,” he said.
Reaffirming the Board’s commitment to industry development, Dr. Husseini stated that the NFVCB has continued to reposition itself as a partner in progress by engaging stakeholders, improving classification processes, and promoting a balance between creative freedom and social responsibility.
However, he raised concerns over increasing non-compliance with regulatory requirements, noting that some filmmakers bypass the Board by releasing unclassified films or operating without proper licensing.
He reiterated that all films and video works must be submitted to the NFVCB for classification and registration before being released on any platform, including digital platforms such as YouTube.
“This is a legal obligation, and the Board will not hesitate to take decisive action against defaulters,” he warned, adding that regulation is essential for protecting the industry, audiences, and national values.
Looking ahead, Dr. Husseini assured stakeholders of the Board’s continued collaboration with filmmakers and festival organisers to build a structured, sustainable, and globally competitive Nigerian film industry.
He concluded by commending the organisers of the Coal City Film Festival for their vision and contribution to Nigeria’s cultural economy, urging filmmakers to continue telling authentic stories that can resonate across global screens.
-Leadership
Veteran rapper Michael Ugochukwu Stephens, popularly known as Ruggedman, has criticised the use of “Afrobeats” as a catchall term for all African music, calling it misleading.
In a recent interview with Day Genius, the rapper argued that the term is often used to group artistes who lack real talent and rely only on catchy beats.
The rapper also claimed that many artists in this category struggle with live performances and freestyling because they depend too much on autotune and studio effects.
Nollywood actress and comedian, Kudirat Abeniade Soremi, popularly known as Mama No Network, has bought a new car.
She posted on her Instagram page and shared pictures of her new car, congratulating herself.
“Congratulations to me. Your car is next in line for Jesus.
May the celebration never cease in our home. May God surround me and you with people who genuinely love and celebrate God’s gift in your life,” she posted.
Her colleagues and fans congratulated her on this feat. Rejoicing with her, Bimpe Akintunde wrote, “Congratulations, Iye mi
The actress is known for playing a deaf woman and mother in the Yoruba movie industry.
Last year, she was conferred with a chieftaincy title in Texas Ijebuland, which is (Yeye Owu Ojuwo of Ijebuland)
-Leadership
NFVCB Boss Urges Stronger Distribution Channels As Coal City Film Festival 2026 Opens In Enugu
Wike Reaffirms Nigeria–EU Ties, Moves To Reclaim Encroached Diplomatic Lands
Inspector-General Disu Submits 75-Page Framework On ‘State Police’ To Senate As Push Gains Momentum
5 Life Lessons from Manchester City EPL Current woes
Liverpool Announce Jürgen Klopp Return To The Club
MTN Teams Up With Meta To Boost WhatsApp Call Quality
-
Health12 months ago5 Life Lessons from Manchester City EPL Current woes
-
Sports12 months agoLiverpool Announce Jürgen Klopp Return To The Club
-
Business12 months agoMTN Teams Up With Meta To Boost WhatsApp Call Quality
-
News12 months agoCommonwealth Observers Prepare For Gabon Presidential Election
-
Health12 months agoPonzi Scheme CEO Francis Uju Udoms of Addfx Case still Unresolved Despite SEC certification
-
News12 months agoChibok Girls: 11 Years Of Anguish, Broken Promises
-
News12 months agoWike’s Enviable Road Construction Method along Nyanya- Maraba Highway
-
News9 months agoNASRE Promises Support To Daily Times Group Business Editor, Oseni, Over Serious Road Accident