By Our Correspondent

National News – Nollywood actress Toyin Abraham has denied allegations about inflated payments to her former protégé, Abike Shugaa, following a viral video that reignited tensions between the two.

The controversy surfaced on Friday, April 17, 2026, after Shugaa shared her experience working on the film Ijakumo: The Born Again Stripper, claiming she was paid ₦50,000 for two scenes that were later removed from the final cut.

Responding via X (formerly Twitter), Abraham dismissed circulating figures as false, stating she only paid ₦500,000 for Shugaa’s role in Malaika and ₦50,000 for the Ijakumo scenes that were eventually edited out.

She insisted the online claims misrepresented the actual payments and declined to elaborate further on the dispute.

Shugaa, whose real name is Pelumi Olawuni, explained in her over eight-minute video that she initially appreciated the opportunity and prompt payment, noting she needed the money at the time.

However, she expressed disappointment after discovering she did not appear in the final version of the film despite participating in filming and promotional activities.

According to Shugaa, she shot multiple scenes and took part in about 20 promotional videos, believing it would mark her cinema debut.

She said her expectations were dashed when the movie premiered and her scenes were absent, adding that she chose not to confront Abraham directly but instead confided in her family due to the emotional toll.

The fallout has sparked debate across social media platforms, with opinions divided over fair compensation practices and mentorship dynamics in Nollywood.

While some critics question the payment structure described, others defend Abraham’s role in helping Shugaa gain early exposure in the industry.

As of now, Shugaa has not released any new statement beyond the viral video, while Abraham’s response remains limited to her social media post.