Renowned Nollywood actor Odunlade Adekola has stirred up social media conversation with a playful yet provocative post targeting colleague Tosin Olaniyan’s outfit choice at his recent film production awards ceremony in Abeokuta. The incident highlights the increasing intersection of traditional Nollywood dynamics with modern social media engagement.
The controversy stems from the Odunlade Adekola Film Production Award ceremony, where Olaniyan’s appearance in a revealing outfit had already generated significant online discussion. Adekola’s subsequent Instagram post, featuring footage from the event with a teasingly worded caption asking followers not to tag Olaniyan, has added a new dimension to the ongoing conversation.
His post, which included the seemingly innocent prayer “May God bless everything that belongs to us,” coupled with the explicit request not to tag anyone, demonstrated the actor’s trademark humor while deliberately drawing attention to the situation. Fellow industry veteran Muyiwa Ademola’s response, predicting that people would ignore the instruction not to tag Olaniyan, further amplified the playful nature of the interaction.
This latest social media episode stands in interesting contrast to Adekola’s recent positive interactions with other entertainment industry figures. His humble response to skitmaker Layi Wasabi’s reverential greeting, where both men ended up on their knees in mutual respect, showcased his reputation for genuine warmth and humility. Similarly, his interaction with singer Korede Bello, where he responded to the younger artist’s traditional prostration with joy and embrace, reinforces his image as an accessible industry elder.
Adekola’s history of industry support is well-documented, as evidenced by his gesture toward colleague Femi Adebayo, creating branded clothing to promote Adebayo’s movie “Jagun Jagun.” These actions paint a picture of an artist who regularly uses his platform to uplift others in the industry, making his current playful trolling of Olaniyan particularly noteworthy.
The incident also recalls Adekola’s previous firm stance against unauthorized use of his image, particularly his 2022 warning to local eateries about using his likeness to promote their businesses. This history of protecting his public image while maintaining industry relationships adds context to his current social media engagement.
The social media response to Adekola’s post has been mixed, with some fans expressing concern about potential backlash from Olaniyan, while others appreciate the humorous approach to addressing industry topics. Comments ranging from “She’s coming for u” to “The thing con dey shine” reflect the varied perspectives on this social media interaction.
This incident highlights the evolving nature of Nigerian entertainment industry relationships in the social media age, where traditional respect structures meet modern forms of engagement. It also demonstrates how established actors like Adekola navigate the fine line between maintaining their status as industry veterans while engaging with contemporary social media culture.
The situation raises interesting questions about the intersection of traditional Nollywood hierarchies with modern social media dynamics, particularly how established actors can maintain their authority while engaging in playful online interactions. It also showcases how social media has become a powerful tool for industry figures to shape their public personas and engage with their audience in more direct and informal ways.
