Kunle Afolayan breaks silence: Filmmaker claims Funke Akindele yelled at him on phone
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Kunle Afolayan addressed the recent industry row on Arise News on February 1, 2026. The director revealed that Funke Akindele called him in anger after his initial comments went viral. He insisted that he actually tells young filmmakers to follow her successful business model.
Image Credit: Instagram (@kunleafo / @funkejenifaakindele)Kunle Afolayan has finally addressed the viral controversy surrounding his recent comments on film marketing.
The director appeared on Arise News on February 1, 2026, to clarify his stance. He revealed that the backlash led to a tense phone call with Funke Akindele.
Afolayan stated that the actress reached out to him the day before the interview. ”Funke called me yesterday… she was yelling,” Afolayan told the hosts.
He explained that Akindele accused him of disliking her person during the heated exchange. ”She said, ‘Oh Mr. Afolayan, I know you don’t like me… don’t mention my name in your interviews,'” he recalled.
The filmmaker noted that she hung up the phone immediately after making her point. This tension follows a week where Funke Akindele fires back: Star warns against jealousy after Kunle Afolayan’s shade in a direct response to his earlier speech.
The business of cinema
Afolayan insists that his initial comments were strictly about business math, not personal attacks. He argued that the current cinema model yields low returns for creators with many investors.
”If you make 2 billion… what will probably come to you will be maybe 500 million,” he calculated. The director emphasized that he cannot return to the big screen without guaranteed substantial profits.
He mentioned that he spoke to Toyin Abraham about the same issue, and she understood his perspective. ”Toyin said, ‘Egbon, can you see that I have turned it to a skit?'” he shared. Abraham even joked in her skits about needing fans to watch so she could earn more money.
Fans know Akindele often faces high-pressure situations, such as when “I was ready to die”: Bimbo Thomas reveals hiding Funke Akindele from gunmen during a past crisis.
Praising the Akindele model
Afolayan maintained that he has “absolutely nothing” against his colleague. He claimed that he often uses Akindele as a prime example of success when teaching young students. ”I clearly said to them… follow Funke Akindele’s model,” he stated regarding a recent masterclass in Kaduna.
The director praised her for starting young and growing the Jenifa brand into a massive empire. He noted that her consistent growth over the years is something he admires and respects.
Afolayan clarified that he only meant he lacks the physical energy to match her marketing style. ”I can’t do what they are doing… they have so much energy,” he admitted.
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Funke Akindele fires back: Actress warns against jealousy after Kunle Afolayan’s shade
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Nollywood icons Kunle Afolayan and Funke Akindele have sparked a major industry debate this week. Afolayan described modern film marketing as “draining” at a Lagos summit on January 30, 2026, and specifically named Akindele. The actress quickly responded on Instagram, warning peers not to let “jealousy burn” them.
Image Credit: Instagram (@funkejenifaakindele / @kunleafo)Kunle Afolayan has sparked a fresh debate about the state of film marketing in Nigeria. The director spoke candidly at the Lagos Business of Film Summit on January 30, 2026. He admitted that the current demand for social media skits and constant content creation exhausts him.
Afolayan stated that he cannot keep up with the high energy required to sell movies today. He specifically mentioned his colleague, Funke Akindele, during his speech. ”I don’t know how Funke and the likes of them are doing it,” Afolayan told the audience.
He noted that stars like her change costumes daily to create skits for promotion. ”I cannot,” he confessed, adding that the process is simply too draining for him now.
A clash of styles
Afolayan insisted that he is not new to the game, despite his current fatigue. He claimed he started the “cinema gig” and dance promotions long before they became trends. ”I dance in London, even London. So it’s not just local,” he argued.
However, his comments about Akindele seemed to strike a nerve. Hours after the video surfaced, Akindele posted a series of pointed messages on her Instagram page.
She advised people to focus on their own journeys rather than looking at others. ”If you can’t beat them or join them, create your own path,” she wrote.
The actress warned that envy destroys progress. ”No allow jealousy burn you. The sky is so big for everybody to fly,” she added.
Creating new paths
Akindele did not stop there. She encouraged her peers to hire help if they cannot handle the pressure of marketing. ”Go ahead and create alternative promotion… or hire a company to handle it,” she advised.
This exchange highlights the different methods top filmmakers use to stay relevant. Akindele often ignores critics, as she follows Faithia Balogun again and calms public row to maintain peace.
Her fans know she faces her own battles, especially after Bimbo Thomas reveals hiding Funke Akindele from gunmen in the past. Afolayan maintains that he has good stories and wants to sell them without dancing.
Meanwhile, Akindele made her stance clear. ”I’m not the one hindering your progress,” she declared, urging everyone to find what works for them.
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CELEBRITY MILESTONE 🖤
#FunkeAkindele makes history again.
Behind The Scenes crosses ₦2 Billion+ at the #boxoffice, redefining what’s possible in #Nollywood.
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“I was ready to die”: Bimbo Thomas reveals hiding Funke Akindele from gunmen
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Nollywood actress Bimbo Thomas has shared a chilling account of how she once hid colleague Funke Akindele from armed robbers who stormed their hotel specifically to find the box office queen. Speaking in an interview released on January 3, 2026, Thomas revealed she was prepared to sacrifice her life to protect Akindele during the harrowing ordeal.
Image Credit: Photo: Instagram / @iambimbothomas & @funkejenifaakindeleThe revelation came during an emotional session with media personality Chude Jideonwo. Bimbo Thomas described a film set in the Ebute Metta area of Lagos that turned into a near-death experience.
According to the actress, the incident began when local “area boys” disrupted their shoot, feeling the movie depicted their lives without permission. While the crew thought they had settled the dispute with cash, the situation escalated later that night at their hotel.
”They came for her”
Thomas explained that Funke Akindele had asked her to come over to her hotel room for a massage session after the shoot. It was around midnight when they heard loud bangs.
The actress described the chaos that followed. The gunmen breached the hotel security and made their way to the room. Thomas noted that she instinctively knew the attackers targeted Akindele.
”I told the masseuse, ‘Let’s put Funke under the bed,'” Thomas recounted. When the bed proved too low, they moved to the bathroom. Thomas wore a large gown and hid Akindele underneath it while they prayed.
This revelation adds a grim layer to the public life of Akindele. While fans recently celebrated news that Funke Akindele follows Faithia Balogun again to mend industry rifts, this story highlights the physical dangers stars face.
A close shave with death
The attackers eventually broke into the room. Thomas recalled a moment of pure adrenaline where she almost attacked one of the gunmen but held back.
The gang dragged Akindele out of the room. In a bizarre twist, they forced the superstar to sing and dance to “Mongo Park” songs to prove she was “born in the ghetto.”
Thomas watched helplessly from the window as the six armed men surrounded her friend. She noted that about 20 other gang members waited outside.
The situation only calmed when officers from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, arrived at the scene. Gunshots ensued, and Akindele managed to run to the generator house where a security guard gave her a towel to cover up.
”If they kill you, they kill us together”
The bond between the two actresses proved vital that night. Thomas told Jideonwo that Akindele later asked why she didn’t give her up to save herself.
”I said, ‘If they were going to kill you, they didn’t kill us together,'” Thomas stated, fighting back tears.
This level of loyalty stands in stark contrast to the usual industry squabbles. For instance, the public recalls the time actress Iyabo Ojo reacts following reports of tension in her own circle, proving that true friendship in Nollywood is rare but real.
Bimbo Thomas confirmed that the police later arrested the gang members, and some were killed during the operation.
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"I hid her under my gown." 😱 Bimbo Thomas reveals the terrifying moment armed men came to kill Funke Akindele and how she saved her life. The details are chilling. 👇 #ValidUpdates #BimboThomas #FunkeAkindele
#FunkeAkindele’s ‘Behind The Scenes’ crosses N1bn
#Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has reached another major career milestone as her latest cinema release, Behind The Scenes, has crossed the ₦1 bil
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Funke Akindele follows Faithia Balogun again on Instagram, fans call it a welcome olive branch below CTA: see the details below #ValidUpdates #FunkeAkindele #FaithiaBalogun #Nollywood #Instagram #Celebrity #Reconciliation
https://validupdates.com/2025/12/funke-akindele-follows-faithia-balogun-again-and-calms-public-row/
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