Toyin Abraham Acknowledges Funke Akindele As The Leading Nollywood Actress

Popular Nollywood actress and movie producer, Toyin Abraham Ajeyemi’s has publicly admits fellow actress, Funke Akindele as the number one Nollywood actress and movie producer, whilst calling for reconciliation, an end to a long rivalry, and feud.

Toyin Abraham shared a photo of Funke Akindele on her Instagram page, accompanied by an open letter urging fans to do away with any ongoing conflict between them.

She wrote, "I had set records in the box office, Aunty Funke came and beat them, and today I am happy because she has challenged me to set higher goals."

In spite of the initial rivalry triggered by 'he said, she said' (according to Toyin) in the Yoruba movie industry, she expressed admiration for Funke’s achievements and the inspiration she provided for other women in the Nigerian movie industry.

Toyin showers accolades on Funke saying, "Thank you for making great movies and selling them like your life depends on it aunty Funke, you taught other women to hustle harder."

The 41-year-old actress then urges that they (she and Funke) should compliment each other as healthy rivals.

She said, "Sis, let’s compliment each other even in competition at the box office, I owe you one post in December (only 1 o, I need to sell market…Lol), I admire you and wish you all the best."

The Ijakumo producer while reflecting on the negative impact of past rivalry on their personal lives, careers, and relationship, delved into their past competitive dynamic, highlighting the challenges they faced in the Yoruba film industry and how they gradually attained growth.

She wrote: “If you guys knew the fierce competition to be number one in those days in the Yoruba industry which created camps, enmity, and many professional gossips.

Toyin noted that the number one cause of fights in the industry before the social media era was ‘he said, she said’.

She added that the industry is being turn apart with gossips and lots of damages caused with ‘he-said, she-said’.

As the 'Alakada Reloaded' producer narrated how she and Funke climbed the ladder of success in the Yoruba and the English segments of the Nollywood, she highlighted Funke’s achievement with the movie titled "A Tribe Called Judah" and concluded that they can have a healthy competition, rather than bitter competitions.

In her words, "Aunty Funke, I celebrate you for showing us what is possible, you are a winner, selling over 1B, you made it possible for other women to dream. With time, age and wisdom, I have come to the conclusion that we can actually compete without being negatively competitive."

Funke Akindele responded to her colleagues reconciliation initiative, wishing her the best.

Funke wrote, "Toyin baby ❤️❤️ all the best dear.”