Tolu Fagbure calls out Funke Akindele’s directing skills, triggering reactions

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Film critic and public commentator Tolu Fagbure has stirred controversy after sharing a pointed assessment of Nollywood actress and director Funke Akindele, questioning the quality of her directorial skills in a video posted on Instagram on Saturday, October 3, 2026.

In the clip, Fagbure acknowledged he had previously described Akindele as "condescendingly brutal," a claim he partially walked back before doubling down on his broader critique.

He clarified that he had seen her in public spaces but had never interacted with her directly, meaning his views were shaped entirely by her body of work and public persona.

Fagbure questions Akindele's directing ability

Despite the lack of personal contact, Fagbure did not hold back. He argued that Akindele's approach to filmmaking reveals a limited understanding of the craft, stating that she "only understands format" and does not genuinely know directing.

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He also raised questions about co-directing credits, suggesting these arrangements reflect a gap in her technical knowledge as a filmmaker.

Funke Akindele is widely regarded as one of Nollywood's biggest box office draws, with blockbuster franchises to her name. Her films have consistently broken records at Nigerian cinemas, making Fagbure's remarks particularly divisive among fans and industry observers.

Here is the Instagram video of Tolu speaking about Akindele:

Fans push back on Fagbure's claims

The comments section lit up quickly, with many users calling out the contradiction at the heart of Fagbure's argument — that he admitted to never having met Akindele personally yet felt confident enough to speak about her character and work ethic.

Eniola Ajao fires back at Tolu Fagbure

Legit.ng reported that movie critic Tolu Fagbure sparked controversy online after making critical remarks about Nollywood actress Eniola Ajao’s acting abilities and her place in the cinema industry.

Fagbure questioned Ajao’s talent, arguing that her physical appearance, which he described as her “fine face,” was largely responsible for the attention she receives. He also suggested that her acting lacked the level of skill expected from a successful performer in the industry.

His comments quickly drew reactions from the actress, who gave him a piece of her mind.

Shade Metibogun (Entertainment editor) Shade Metibogun is an entertainment editor at Legit.ng (since 2023). She has over a decade experience in both print and online media (THEWILL, Institute for Media and Society). Shade has a Post Graduate Diploma in Education (2016), Bachelor Degree in Literature in English, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (2004), Email: shade.metibogun@corp.legit.ng