Nollywood actress Eniola Ajao has hit back at movie critic Tolu Fagbure after he publicly dismissed her acting ability and questioned her place in cinema.
During an interview on the Agbaletu platform, Fagbure took aim at Ajao’s recent work, particularly her film Ajakaju. He declared that the actress “doesn’t have business in the cinema,” placing her in the same category as colleague Odunlade Adekola.
“I don’t think her acting has a place. I don’t think that is acting at all,” Fagbure said. “She has a fine face, plastic delivery. The only thing she has going for her is her fine face; that’s admirable. I don’t think she has talent, let alone developing it into skill.”
When the interviewer suggested the comments were “too brutal,” Fagbure stood by his view, adding: “That’s my opinion. My opinion is not sacrosanct; my opinion is not the end.”
Ajao responded swiftly on X (formerly Twitter). Quoting the critic’s remarks about her “fine face,” she wrote:
“Ahhh, so my fine face is the only thing carrying me? After all these years?
I will just keep doing what I know how to do: work, grow and let the audience decide. After all, opinions are free, but careers are built.
Cinema or no cinema, I’m not stopping anytime soon. Ire oo.”
The actress made it clear that neither the criticism nor the box-office performance of her film would deter her from continuing her craft.
The exchange has sparked fresh debate among Nollywood fans about the role of critics, the value of public feedback, and the resilience of actors who choose to keep creating in the face of harsh reviews.