‘N10m Box Office Remark Was Sarcastic’, Toyin Abraham Clarifies Kunle Afolayan’s Comments

Actress Toyin Abraham’s management has clarified recent comments attributed to filmmaker Kunle Afolayan regarding box office earnings, explaining that his mention of a producer earning #10 million from a #1 billion or #2 billion cinema gross was meant sarcastically, not as a factual statement.

In a statement released on Monday, Abraham’s manager, Samuel Olatunji of The Hype Agency, noted that the actress had received numerous calls and messages requesting her reaction to Afolayan’s remarks on film profitability and promotion in Nollywood.

The statement highlighted that Abraham understood Afolayan’s broader point about the realities of the filmmaking business, particularly the distinction between headline box office figures and the actual returns producers receive.

However, it added that the tone of the comments, which circulated from Afolayan’s film premiere, was perceived by some in the industry as dismissive of the significant effort, financial risk, and sacrifices made in building Nollywood, especially by women.

According to the statement, Afolayan personally reached out to Abraham to clarify his remarks after the issue gained traction publicly.

“During that conversation, she expressed her concerns, particularly about how the comments could be interpreted as disregarding the efforts of others.

“Mr Afolayan clarified the context and intent of his remarks, and the issue was addressed maturely. Both parties have since moved on,” the statement said.

The management described it as unfortunate that some expected Abraham to publicly attack or criticise Afolayan, stressing that their professional relationship, which spans many years, has never been contentious.

The statement also dismissed circulating claims that Abraham remained silent because she had previously questioned whether films could gross ₦1 billion at the box office.

“This narrative is completely untrue. She is close to industry stakeholders responsible for box office reporting and has access to certified and verifiable figures. There is no basis for doubting credible numbers,” it said.

Further, the statement emphasized that Abraham has never objected to the box office success of any filmmaker. Her focus has consistently been on ensuring fair and adequate cinema showtimes, which directly influence box office performance and revenue.

While recognising the achievements of filmmakers currently posting top box office numbers, the statement described these milestones as commendable, especially in an industry ecosystem that remains largely challenging for producers.

“These successes have been recorded despite rising production costs, limited screens, revenue-sharing structures and multiple statutory deductions. Despite these challenges, the industry continues to grow and break new ground,” it added.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Mr Afolayan’s reference to ten million naira was clearly sarcastic. No producer earns ten million naira from a one billion naira or two billion naira box office performance,” the statement concluded.

The management called on industry stakeholders to use the moment to address structural challenges and explore sustainable models that improve returns on investment for filmmakers, rather than fuel public disagreements.

The clarification comes amid social media controversy following Afolayan’s recent remarks on film promotion and box office culture.