Actress and filmmaker Toyin Abraham has publicly addressed her rivalry with Funke Akindele by extending what appears to be a hand of friendship.
For years, there have been speculations about a rift between Funke Akindele and Toyin Abraham which the latter debunked.
However, despite clearing the air, fans have continued to compare the two thriving filmmakers and box office competitors and have made several attempts to pit them against each other.
But in a lengthy post on her Instagram account on Sunday, Toyin Abraham noted that they became “competitors and persona non grata” due to gossip.
She recalled that their rivalry began in the Yoruba movie industry and they carried it over to the Nigerian-English cinema when they crossover to Nollywood.
The mother of one, however, said age and wisdom have made her realise that they can compete without being negatively competitive.
She wrote, “In the English industry, Aunty Funke and I continued the rivalry sort of. It pitted our fans against each other. We are two competitive Virgo women, we love to win and sometimes in that process, we splash dirt and mud. But with time, age, and more wisdom, I have realized we can compete without being negatively competitive.
“Aunty Funke, I celebrate you for showing us what is possible. You are a winner. You sold over 1B, you made it possible for other women to dream. You ran us street with that 1B o, this year, many of us will move to 1B and we pray God makes you bigger. Thank you for making great movies and selling them like your life depends on it. You taught other women to hustle harder.
“I had set records in box office records, Aunty came and beat them, today I am happy because she has challenged me to set higher goals. Sis, let’s complement each other even in competition at the box office, I owe you one post in December (only 1 o, I need to sell market…Lol). I pray that God will make all your dreams come true. I admire you and wish you all the best.”
Funke and Toyin are well known for releasing box office films for their fans almost every December.
In December 2023, the duo, alongside Mercy Aigbe dominated the cinema by breaking their records.
Funke Akindele’s A Tribe Called Judah became her highest-grossing film and the highest-grossing film in Nollywood.
Toyin’s Malaika and Mercy Aigbe’s Ada Omo Daddy also became their highest-grossing films.
