Nollywood actress Wumi Toriola has responded strongly to comments made by her senior colleague, Afeez Owo, during a recent interview.
In a chat with Behind The Fame – African List, Afeez, who is married to actress Mide Martins, described Wumi as someone who only reacts when provoked, noting that she does not tolerate nonsense.
The remark did not sit well with Wumi, who, in a since-deleted video, accused Afeez of unnecessarily dragging her into discussions. She questioned why he would bring up her name in the interview, sarcastically asking if she should “rent a husband to hold the mic and spoil things.”
Toriola went on to caution Afeez, reminding him of his status as an elder in the industry. “Must every rift now be dragged to podcasts? They gave you a mic, and you started talking rubbish. Am I a mad woman? Will I lash out if people don’t offend me? Have I ever insulted you before? Despite all your unfortunate behaviours, I still respect you,” she said
Her outburst, however, triggered mixed reactions online, with many social media users faulting her for being disrespectful. While some argued that Afeez’s statement was harmless, others felt Wumi’s response only proved his point about her temperament.
It is not the first time Wumi and the couple have made headlines together. In 2023, Mide Martins and Afeez Owo publicly apologized to Toriola after an error in one of their movie productions subjected her to ridicule.
Beyond this controversy, Wumi Toriola has also been vocal about challenges in the Yoruba film industry. She recently called out production managers for their nonchalant attitude towards cast and crew, and expressed concerns about being repeatedly cast in violent roles, which she fears may affect her career image.
