The management of Nollywood actress and filmmaker Toyin Abraham has clarified remarks attributed to filmmaker Kunle Afolayan on cinema box office earnings, saying his reference to a producer making ₦10 million from a ₦1 billion or ₦2 billion gross was intended as sarcasm and not a factual claim.
In a statement issued on Monday by Abraham’s manager, Mr Samuel Olatunji of The Hype Agency, the management said the actress had received numerous enquiries seeking her reaction to Afolayan’s recent comments on film promotion and profitability in the Nigerian film industry.
The statement said Abraham understood the broader point Afolayan sought to make regarding the business realities of filmmaking, particularly the disparity between headline box office figures and the actual earnings returned to producers after deductions.
However, it noted that the tone of the remarks, which circulated widely following a recent film premiere, was perceived by some industry stakeholders as dismissive of the financial risks, labour and long-term sacrifices invested in building Nollywood, especially by women practitioners.
According to the management, Afolayan subsequently reached out directly to Abraham to address the concerns after the issue generated public debate.
“During their conversation, she raised her concerns about how the remarks could be interpreted. Mr Afolayan clarified the context and intent of his comments, and the matter was resolved amicably,” the statement said, adding that both parties had since moved on.
The management described as unfounded suggestions that Abraham was expected to publicly criticise Afolayan, noting that their long-standing professional relationship had never been adversarial.
It also dismissed claims circulating online that the actress refrained from commenting because she had previously questioned the possibility of Nigerian films grossing ₦1 billion at the box office.
“This claim is false. She maintains close professional relationships with industry stakeholders involved in box office reporting and has access to certified and verifiable data. There is no basis for questioning credible figures,” the statement said.
The management further stated that Abraham has never expressed resentment over the commercial success of any filmmaker, stressing that her consistent advocacy has focused on equitable cinema screen allocation and showtimes, which significantly influence box office outcomes.
While acknowledging recent box office milestones recorded by filmmakers, the statement described the achievements as commendable, given the industry’s structural challenges.
“These successes have been achieved despite rising production costs, limited cinema screens, revenue-sharing arrangements and statutory deductions. In spite of these constraints, the industry continues to expand and set new benchmarks,” it said.
“For clarity, the reference to ten million naira was clearly sarcastic. No producer earns ₦10 million from a ₦1 billion or ₦2 billion box office performance,” the statement added.
The management urged industry stakeholders to use the discourse to address systemic challenges and develop sustainable models that improve returns on investment for filmmakers, rather than encouraging public confrontations.
The clarification comes amid social media controversy surrounding Afolayan’s recent comments on box office culture and film promotion in Nollywood.
