In the Nigerian entertainment, where collaborations can launch careers overnight, loyalty is everything – until it isn’t. What started as a mentor-protégée relationship between actress and producer Toyin Abraham and rising influencer-actress Abike Shuggaa, has now exploded into a full-blown public drama. Abike recently shared her side of the story in a lengthy post, revealing the payments, promises, perceived betrayals, and emotional toll that led her to distance herself from the Nollywood star. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the saga, based on Abike’s account.
Who Is Abike Shuggaa?
Abike Shuggaa is a popular Instagram influencer, content creator, and actress known for her striking presence and versatility. She has featured in several notable projects, including Jenifa’s Diary, Agoalago, and Malika. Before her acting breakthrough, she worked as a TV presenter. Her big break into the industry came through an audition at Scene One Productions – a company linked to Funke Akindele and her ex-husband, JJC Skills – which is how she first crossed paths with Funke Akindele herself.
How the Relationship with Toyin Abraham Began
The connection between Abike and Toyin Abraham started during the COVID-19 pandemic. Abike decided to learn fashion designing and bought her first sewing machine. She posted about it on Twitter, and the post went viral. Toyin Abraham reached out via DM and offered to pay for the machine – a gesture Abike saw as the beginning of genuine support.
Later, when Abike auditioned for another role in Jenifa’s Diary, she was told Toyin was involved. She reached out, they met in person, and Toyin promised to support her career. True to her word, Toyin cast Abike in her movie Agoalago. Abike also landed roles in Jenifa’s Diary, and her online following grew rapidly thanks to the exposure.
The Collaboration Years: Support, Events, and Payments
According to Abike, Toyin became more than just a colleague – she acted as a mentor. She encouraged Abike to attend meet-and-greet events and helped her create content. For these sessions, Abike was usually paid between ₦10,000 and ₦15,000 as Transport fare.
- For two weeks of shooting Agoalago, Abike received ₦50,000.
- She was paid $600 for promoting one of Funke Akindele’s movies and $800 for another series.
- Abike later earned ₦50,000 for two scenes in Ijakumo (scenes that were ultimately deleted after she had turned down a conflicting Funke project to prioritize Toyin’s).
- For her lead role in Malika, Abike was paid ₦500,000 after spending two full months on set.
- She claimed they shot over 100 content videos under Toyin’s direction to promote projects.
Abike says she was grateful for the opportunities and the financial support, which helped establish her in the industry.
The Cracks Begin: The “Betrayal” and Growing Tension
The turning point came when Abike noticed Toyin posting about Mercy Aigbe’s movie on her page while she had her own project coming up. During a conversation, Toyin reportedly told Abike there was “nothing wrong with supporting people you’re cool with, even if you’re not part of their projects.”
Abike took this as permission to accept a promotional deal from Funke Akindele – an unboxing video. She insists she informed Toyin beforehand. However, the move did not sit well with Toyin. Abike says she began receiving calls and unpleasant voice notes. Toyin allegedly told others that Abike had betrayed her and claimed she had paid Abike ₦100,000 for content (a payment Abike denies, saying it was intended for another influencer).
Things escalated further when Toyin allegedly instructed Abike to delete posts related to her work. Despite pleading, Toyin reportedly refused to listen. Abike claims this pressure contributed to her losing a major job opportunity – a producer allegedly said “someone” insisted she shouldn’t be cast.
Abike’s Decision to Step Away
Abike stated that Toyin has tried to reach out several times since the fallout, but she has chosen not to engage. She emphasized that she does not want to be involved in any drama and simply wants to focus on her career.
In her closing remarks, Abike pushed back against any narrative that she was “picked from the gutter.” She described herself as already “a work in progress” before the collaboration and expressed pride in her journey.
Toyin Abraham’s Response
Toyin Abraham has addressed the allegations publicly, though briefly. She said she would not speak on the issue in detail because Abike is “like a daughter” to her. She also questioned the payment claims, stating that “no one will pay an upcoming actress ₦500k for a role.”
What’s Next?
As of now, the drama remains one-sided in the public eye, with Abike choosing distance and Toyin opting for restraint. The story has sparked heated debates online about gratitude, mentorship, boundaries in the entertainment industry, and the pressures faced by young talents navigating powerful relationships.
This saga highlights a common tension in Nollywood and influencer circles: when does professional support cross into control? Abike’s detailed account paints a picture of a once-supportive relationship that soured over perceived disloyalty, deleted posts, and lost opportunities. Whether this is the final chapter or just the beginning of more revelations remains to be seen.
What are your thoughts? Was Abike right to distance herself, or does the industry demand more loyalty? Drop your comments below – the entertainment streets are watching.
