By Our Correspondent
National News – A once-celebrated mentorship between Nollywood actress Toyin Abraham and her former protégé Abike Shugaa has publicly collapsed, with both parties offering conflicting accounts of what led to their fallout.
The dispute, which resurfaced on April 18, 2026, gained traction after Abike shared a detailed YouTube video recounting her experience, explaining how their relationship evolved from support to tension.
According to Abike, who is also known as Pelumi Olawuni, their connection began when Abraham noticed her viral post about purchasing a sewing machine and later sent her financial support.
The relationship deepened in 2021 when they met during an audition linked to projects associated with Funke Akindele.
Abike stated that Abraham subsequently offered her acting opportunities, including roles in films like Ago Alago and appearances connected to Jenifa’s Diary.
She explained that while working closely with Abraham, she earned modest payments for roles but also built independent income through content creation and brand deals.
However, tensions reportedly escalated during the promotion of the film Malaika, where Abike claimed she was paid N500,000 and contributed heavily to publicity efforts.
The situation worsened when she supported another project, A Tribe Called Judah, which Abraham allegedly viewed as disloyal.
Abike further alleged that the relationship deteriorated into conflicts involving accusations, strained communication, and a controversial private remark she described as threatening.
She also claimed professional setbacks followed the fallout.
In response, Abraham declined an extensive public exchange, maintaining she still regards Abike as a daughter while disputing several claims, particularly regarding payments and project decisions.
Her management also insisted that no obligations were breached and described the situation as misrepresented.
The once mutually beneficial relationship, which opened doors for Abike in Nollywood, has now ended in a widely discussed controversy, highlighting the complexities of mentorship, loyalty, and professional boundaries in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
