A Nollywood premiere in Lagos turned tense on Sunday after a viral video appeared to show Funke Akindele ignoring a greeting from Toyin Abraham, sparking heated reactions online.
The incident happened at the launch of Return of Arinzo, directed by Iyabo Ojo, held at the Balmoral Event Centre ahead of its 3 April cinema release. The event drew top industry figures, including Rita Dominic and Mo Abudu.
In the clip, Abraham is seen greeting guests before approaching Akindele’s table. She appears to touch Akindele’s arm and speak to her, but Akindele keeps her gaze forward and does not respond. Abraham later makes a second attempt, with no visible reaction.
Moments later, Abraham moves on to greet others. During the exchange, part of her outfit brushes Akindele’s hair, prompting Akindele to adjust it without engaging.
The video quickly spread on social media, with users split over whether the moment was a deliberate snub or a misunderstanding.
Shortly after, Abraham reacted in a now-deleted Instagram comment, saying she had unfollowed Akindele and would not greet her again. Checks show both actresses have since unfollowed each other, fuelling speculation of renewed tension.
She wrote: “I have unfollowed her. God forbid a bad thing. If I ever greet her again, that means I’m a bastard!”
The episode has revived long-standing talk of rivalry between the two stars, dating back to the early 2010s. Their competition has often played out through box office clashes, including recent releases that dominated cinemas.
Despite past tensions, both actresses had shown signs of reconciliation in recent years, appearing together at events and exchanging friendly gestures. Just days before the latest incident, Akindele publicly defended Abraham against online criticism.
Beyond the personal angle, both remain among Nollywood’s biggest box office draws. Akindele holds multiple revenue records, while Abraham continues to deliver strong commercial hits.
The controversy has, however, shifted attention away from Ojo’s film premiere, with online debate still growing as fans await clarity from both camps.
