A relationship that began as an act of generosity has unraveled into a public dispute, with Nollywood star Toyin Abraham and influencer Abike Shugaa offering sharply different versions of their shared history.
In a video posted on YouTube on Friday, Abike Shugaa—born Pelumi Olawuni—opened up about her rise from modest beginnings to her eventual fallout with the actress. The video has since gained widespread attention across social media.
Abike explained that she decided to speak out after years of silence, emphasizing that her story could only be told from her own perspective.
She recounted working as a TV presenter, thrift seller, and aspiring fashion designer before gaining traction online through a post about buying a sewing machine. According to her, the post caught Abraham’s attention, prompting the actress to reach out and offer financial support.
Their first in-person meeting reportedly took place in March 2021 during an audition tied to Scene One TV, a production platform linked to Funke Akindele. Abike said the opportunity marked a turning point, landing her a role in the Yoruba film Ago Alago—her first major acting gig—as well as appearances in productions such as Jenifa’s Diary.
Describing the period as pivotal, she expressed gratitude for the exposure and opportunities, noting she also collaborated on content creation projects and received logistical support.
However, she revealed modest earnings during her early acting days, stating she was paid N50,000 for two weeks of work on Ago Alago and another N50,000 for two scenes in Ijakumo. She alleged those scenes were later cut without prior notice, a discovery she made only after the film’s release—despite actively promoting it.
“I didn’t even know my scenes were cut… I found out when the movie came out after I promoted it,” she said.
Abike added that she gradually built financial independence through content creation and brand deals, earning up to $800 on some campaigns.
The relationship, she claimed, began to sour as tensions grew over her professional interactions and social media engagements. According to her, things worsened during the promotion of Malaika, where she played a supporting role and was paid N500,000. She said she contributed significantly to publicity efforts, including appearing in over 100 promotional videos.
The turning point, Abike alleged, came when she accepted a PR package linked to Funke Akindele’s A Tribe Called Judah. Although she said she informed Abraham beforehand, the move was reportedly perceived as disloyal, triggering a breakdown marked by accusations, voice notes, and pressure to delete posts.
Attempts at reconciliation, including outreach through skit maker Kamo State, were unsuccessful. Abike said she declined a suggestion to publicly mend ties via TikTok, choosing instead to avoid further drama.
In response, Toyin Abraham addressed the situation briefly on X, declining to engage in a detailed public exchange. She described Abike as “a daughter” and wished everyone well, while disputing aspects of the claims—particularly regarding compensation.
“She was paid 500k for Malaika… nobody will pay an upcoming actress that much,” Abraham stated.
Her management also issued a statement rejecting parts of Abike’s account as misleading, maintaining that all professional obligations were fulfilled. The team added that Abike had been informed about the removal of her Ijakumoscenes as part of standard post-production decisions.
While Abraham has chosen to step back from further commentary, Abike insists she is reclaiming her narrative. What began as mentorship and opportunity has now ended in a very public split—fueling one of Nollywood’s most talked-about controversies.