A budding Nollywood actress, Abike Shuga, has accused popular filmmaker and actress, Toyin Abraham, of unfair treatment following her involvement in the movie, Ijakumo.
Shuga, in a now-viral video shared on social media, recounted what she described as a “painful experience” after discovering that scenes she featured in were removed from the final version of the film.
According to her, she had been invited to take part in the cinema project, which she considered a significant milestone in her acting career.
She explained that she filmed two scenes for the production and approached the role with enthusiasm, seeing it as a potential breakthrough into mainstream Nollywood.
Beyond her on-screen performance, Abike Shuga said she actively promoted the movie ahead of its release, creating online content and encouraging members of the public to watch it in cinemas.
“I took it seriously because I believed it was my opportunity,” she said in the video.
However, the actress said her excitement turned into shock when she eventually watched the film and realised that her scenes had been completely removed.
“I kept waiting to see myself, but my scenes never came up,” she said, adding that she felt confused and deeply disappointed by the development.
Abike Shuga disclosed that she did not immediately confront the production team but instead chose to remain silent while dealing with the emotional impact privately.
She said the experience left her in tears and questioning her place in the industry.
The actress further revealed that she was paid ₦50,000 for her role, a figure she implied did not match her expectations, especially given her involvement in promoting the project.
Her claims quickly gained traction online, triggering widespread reactions from social media users and industry observers.
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While some sympathised with her and described her decision to speak out as courageous, others argued that editing decisions are a routine part of filmmaking and may not necessarily indicate wrongdoing.
In a swift response,Toyin Abraham refuted the allegations, maintaining that there was nothing unfair about the arrangement.
She stated that Shuga was paid specifically for two scenes in Ijakumo, noting that the amount reflected the size and scope of the role.
The filmmaker also disclosed that Shuga had previously been paid ₦500,000 for her role in another production, Malaika, suggesting that compensation varies depending on the nature of each project.
Addressing the removal of the scenes, Abraham explained that such decisions are part of the post-production process and are often influenced by factors such as storytelling, pacing, and overall film structure.
She stressed that the decision was not personal and that similar edits can affect even established actors.
“Scenes are cut during editing for different reasons. It happens in filmmaking and is not targeted at any individual,” she said.
The controversy has since sparked broader conversations within Nollywood about communication between filmmakers and actors, particularly regarding expectations, compensation, and the possibility of scenes being excluded from final productions.
Industry watchers say the incident underscores the need for clearer agreements and better transparency in film projects, especially for emerging talents.
