Faisal Salisu DambattaToyin Abraham’s administration has clarified feedback credited to filmmaker Kunle Afolayan on field workplace earnings, stating that his reference to a producer making ₦10m from a ₦1bn or ₦2bn cinema gross was sarcastic and never a literal declare.
In a press release issued on Monday by the actress’s supervisor, Samuel Olatunji of The Hype Company, the administration mentioned Toyin had obtained a number of calls and messages requesting her response to Afolayan’s current remarks on movie profitability and promotion in Nollywood.
The assertion defined that Abraham understood the broader level Afolayan was trying to make in regards to the enterprise realities of filmmaking, significantly the distinction between headline field workplace figures and the precise earnings returned to producers.
Nevertheless, it famous that the tone of feedback circulated from Afolayan’s movie premiere was perceived by some business practitioners as condescending and dismissive of the immense labour, monetary danger and sacrifices invested in constructing the Nigerian movie business, particularly by girls.
Based on the assertion, after the difficulty gained traction within the public area, Afolayan reached out on to Abraham to deal with the considerations.
“Throughout that dialog, she expressed her considerations, significantly about how the feedback could possibly be interpreted as disregarding the efforts of others.
“Mr Afolayan clarified the context and intent of his remarks, and the difficulty was addressed maturely. Each events have since moved on,” the assertion mentioned.
The administration described it as unlucky that some people anticipated Abraham to publicly assault or tear down Afolayan, stressing that their skilled relationship, which has spanned a few years, has by no means been contentious.
It additionally dismissed claims circulating on-line that Abraham remained silent as a result of she had beforehand questioned the potential for movies grossing ₦1bn on the field workplace.
“This narrative is totally unfaithful. She is near business stakeholders accountable for field workplace reporting and has entry to licensed and verifiable figures.
“There isn’t a foundation for doubting credible numbers,” the assertion mentioned.
The administration additional acknowledged that Abraham has by no means complained in regards to the success of any filmmaker on the field workplace, including that her constant concern has all the time centred on the difficulty of truthful and ample cinema showtimes, which straight have an effect on field workplace efficiency and income technology.
Whereas acknowledging the achievements of filmmakers at present posting prime field workplace numbers, the assertion described such milestones as commendable, significantly inside an business ecosystem that continues to be largely unfavourable to producers.
“These successes have been recorded regardless of rising manufacturing prices, restricted screens, revenue-sharing buildings and a number of statutory deductions. Regardless of these challenges, the business continues to develop and break new floor,” it added.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Mr Afolayan’s reference to 10 million naira was clearly sarcastic. No producer earns ten million naira from a one billion naira or two billion naira field workplace efficiency,” the assertion mentioned.
It urged stakeholders to make use of the second to deal with structural points within the business and discover sustainable fashions that enhance returns on funding for filmmakers, relatively than encouraging public feuds.
The clarification follows social media controversy trailing Afolayan’s current feedback on movie promotion and field workplace tradition.
Recall that Afolayan not too long ago disclosed that actress and producer Funke Akindele known as him to precise anger over remarks he made criticising what he described because the rising expectation for filmmakers to bop, create skits and preserve fixed on-line visibility to advertise cinema releases.
Talking on ARISE TV, Afolayan mentioned Akindele accused him of disliking her and requested him to cease mentioning her title following a viral clip from the 2026 Lagos Enterprise of Movie Summit.
The filmmaker later defined that his feedback weren’t focused at Akindele or any particular person however have been made within the context of movie enterprise sustainability, arguing that headline field workplace figures typically don’t translate into substantial revenue for producers.
“There’s no competitors. I don’t need two billion in cinema, and even one billion, if I received’t make ten million from it,” Afolayan had mentioned.
He additional defined that filmmakers typically obtain lower than 30 per cent of complete field workplace gross after income sharing with exhibitors, taxes, distribution charges and publicity prices.
Afolayan additionally disclosed that he had spoken with Abraham, who, in accordance with him, understood his level about profitability and the stress related to fashionable movie promotion.
