I Only Started Making Real Money Eight Years Ago – Toyin Abraham

Nigerian filmmaker and actress, Toyin Abraham, has shared details of the financial difficulties she experienced during the early years of her acting career.

The 43-year-old movie producer disclosed that despite spending roughly 25 years in the Nigerian film industry, she only started earning significant income about eight years ago.

Speaking on her financial journey, Abraham stated that she joined the industry in 2001 but spent many years earning very little.

“I just started making money. I have been in the industry for about 25 years, since 2001. I started making money, I don’t think it is up to eight years. Then, I was making it, but it was peanuts, just what to eat.”

She added that during those early stages, the low payments she received from acting roles were barely enough to cover her basic survival needs.

Despite those early challenges, the actress has established herself as one of Nollywood’s most successful filmmakers. In January 2026, her film Oversabi Aunty hit a major milestone by grossing over N1 billion at the box office. The project set a record as the first Nollywood directorial debut to surpass the N1 billion mark and ranks as the fourth highest-grossing Nollywood film of all time.