Toyin Abraham’s management has explained that filmmaker Kunle Afolayan’s comments about box-office earnings were sarcastic. The management said his mention of a producer making ₦10m from a ₦1bn or ₦2bn cinema gross was not meant to be taken literally.

In a statement on Monday, Toyin Abraham’s manager, Samuel Olatunji of The Hype Agency, said Toyin had received many calls and messages asking for her response to Afolayan’s recent comments about film profits and promotion in Nollywood.

The statement said Abraham understood the main point Afolayan was making about the business side of filmmaking, especially the gap between reported box-office numbers and what producers actually earn.

However, the statement noted that some people in the industry saw the comments made after Afolayan’s film premiere as condescending and dismissive of the hard work, financial risk, and sacrifices that go into building the Nigerian film industry, especially by women.

The statement also said that as the issue gained attention, Afolayan contacted Abraham directly to address the concerns.

“During that conversation, she shared her concerns, especially about how the comments might seem to ignore the efforts of others.

“Mr Afolayan explained the background and purpose of his remarks, and the issue was handled in a mature way. Both parties have moved on,” the statement said.