Wumi Toriola
A fresh row has broken out in the Yoruba movie industry after actress Wumi Toriola publicly confronted Desola Afod over a video in which Desola warned actors and actresses to stop disrespecting her. Wumi called the remarks “insulting and disrespectful,” told Desola to name the people she has issues with, and even suggested she drop the “Afod” surname if it is causing her problems. Within hours, Desola posted an apology and withdrew her general statement.
How the Row Started
On Sunday, October 11, 2026, Desola Afod shared a video on Instagram aimed at some unnamed colleagues in the Yoruba movie industry. She complained that some actors and actresses address her by her first name without showing her proper respect.
“This is the last warning to some of all these actresses and actors in the movie industry,” she said, according to reports. Desola, who is 44, pointed to her age, adding, “I know age is just a number.” She said she would no longer tolerate being taken for granted.
She did not mention any names. Instead, she lumped the people she meant together as “Awon onitiata,” a Yoruba expression for theatre practitioners, the community of stage and screen actors behind Yoruba films.
Wumi Toriola Says ‘Enough Is Enough’
That general label did not sit well with Wumi Toriola. The popular actress and producer replied with a video of her own, which she captioned “Enough is enough.”
Wumi made it clear that her problem was not with Desola’s complaint itself, but with the way she described an entire profession. “I find it insulting and disrespectful that you said ‘Awon onitiata,'” she said, as quoted by several Nigerian outlets.
For Wumi, the term stands for her career. She explained that “Awon onitiata” represents what she has worked for and earned, and said she would not allow anyone to disrespect it.
‘Mention Their Names’
Wumi urged Desola to be direct if anyone has offended her. “If you have any issue with anybody, Desola Afod, kindly mention their names,” she said in the video. She also told her to put up their names and pictures rather than making sweeping statements about everyone in the industry.
The ‘Afod’ Name Jab
The reply quickly turned personal. Wumi recalled an earlier dispute involving an unnamed colleague, saying Desola spoke up at the time while she chose to stay quiet out of respect for Kunle Afod, the veteran Yoruba actor and director whose marriage to Desola has been the subject of public speculation in recent months.
She then suggested that if the surname was a burden, Desola could go back to her father’s name. “If you feel the name ‘Afod’ you bear is giving you problems, you can bear your father’s name,” she reportedly said.
Wumi also noted that they were both born in Agege, Lagos, saying “everyone is just packaging themselves,” and closed with advice for Desola to learn to handle fame and her name properly.
Bimbo Success Joins In
Wumi was not the only actress to react. Bimbo Success also hit back at Desola, telling her to stop talking. Reports say Bimbo argued that people in the industry had stayed silent out of respect for Kunle Afod, and warned that she would not hold back if pushed further. She later posted a message titled “In My Own Lane” after the clash.
The exchange is the latest public disagreement within the Yoruba arm of Nollywood, a tight-knit community where many actors, producers and directors have worked together for years. It comes at a busy time for the industry, which has seen big moves recently, including Femi Adebayo opening his Euphoria 360 Hub in Lagos and the record-breaking run of Agbara Nla: The Return at the box office.
Desola Afod Apologises
Later on Sunday evening, Desola changed course. In a post on Instagram, she apologised and fully withdrew her general statement about “Awon Omo Tiata,” explaining that her words were not meant for everyone in the industry.
She credited veteran actor Afeez Owo, popularly called Baba Gani, with guiding her to make amends. “Can’t thank you enough, Baba Gani (Afeez Owo). I truly appreciate you, sir,” she wrote.
Desola also shared screenshots of a call and messages with Afeez Owo, who responded with prayers and blessings after she confirmed she had posted the apology.
Apology With a Twist
The apology still carried some bite. “The few people who did me dirty know themselves. In all, ÒTÍLỌ! We move,” she wrote, using a Yoruba expression that roughly means “it’s over.”
She signed off with “I AM SORRY,” followed by a firm line about her identity: “MY NAME IS STILL DESOLA AFOD, CELEB WIFE, TILL THE END OF TIME.” Many fans read that last line as a direct answer to Wumi’s suggestion that she return to her father’s surname.
Quick Facts
- Who: Desola Afod, Wumi Toriola, Bimbo Success and Afeez Owo
- When: Sunday, October 11, 2026
- Trigger: Desola’s Instagram warning to unnamed Yoruba actors over calling her by her first name
- Key phrase: “Awon onitiata” (theatre practitioners), which Wumi called insulting
- Outcome so far: Desola apologised and withdrew her general statement after Afeez Owo stepped in
How Fans Reacted
Social media was split. Some users sided with Wumi, saying Desola owed much of her public profile to the theatre community she appeared to criticise. Others felt the argument over age and respect should have been settled privately.
Many also praised Afeez Owo for calming things down quickly, as veteran figures in the industry have often done when disputes spill online. The industry has a long tradition of respecting its elders, from the late Taiwo Hassan ‘Ogogo’ to the veterans still active on set today.
What Next?
As of Monday, October 12, Wumi Toriola and Bimbo Success have not publicly responded to Desola’s apology, and Kunle Afod has not commented on the exchange. With Desola insisting her name remains “Afod,” fans will be watching to see whether the apology ends the matter or opens a new chapter.
Leave a Comment