Nollywood actress, Toyin Abraham, has dismissed claims circulating online regarding alleged payments made to her former protégé, Abike Shugaa, following a viral video in which Shugaa recounted her experience working with the actress.
Abraham, in a post on X on Friday, insisted that the figures being spread were incorrect, saying she never made the payments as claimed.
“I never paid anyone such, I paid 500k for Malaika and 50k for two scenes in Ijakumo and the director removed it, pls I won’t say a word,” she wrote.
Her response followed an over eight-minute viral video by Abike Shugaa, whose real name is Pelumi Olawuni, where she spoke about her professional relationship with Abraham and alleged issues surrounding the film ‘Ijakumo: The Born Again Stripper.’
In the video, Shugaa described her early experience with the actress, saying, “After the job, she paid me 50,000 Naira immediately. She didn’t owe me.”
She added that the payment was appreciated at the time, stating, “And I was sincerely grateful for that. Cause I… needed the money.”
However, Shugaa claimed she was later excluded from the final cut of Ijakumo despite participating in filming and promotions.
“I shot, I think I shot about two scenes… she paid me 50,000 naira for the two scenes,” she said.
She also noted her involvement in promoting the project, saying, “We shot about 20 videos. I can’t remember.”
Shugaa further explained that she believed she would feature prominently in the film, stating, “I told my friends, this is my first cinema debut… I’m in the movie.”
However, she said she was shocked to discover her scenes were removed.
“When I saw the movie, I didn’t see myself in it,” she said, adding that she was later informed her scenes had been cut.
She also revealed the emotional toll of the situation, saying she confided in her family but did not confront Abraham at the time.
“I cried about it to my own family. I didn’t say anything to her,” she said.
The video has sparked widespread reactions online, with social media users divided between those criticising the payment details shared by Shugaa and others defending Abraham’s contributions to her career.
Shugaa, previously featured in Malaika in a lead role, was once considered part of Abraham’s close creative circle.
Their relationship is believed to have deteriorated in recent years amid Shugaa’s involvement in projects linked to Funke Akindele and wider industry tensions.
As of press time, Shugaa has not released any further statement beyond the viral video, while Abraham’s X post remains her only public response to the controversy.
