Funke Akindele sparks online debate after missing Kamo’s movie premiere

Nollywood actress Funke Akindele has come under criticism on social media following her absence from the premiere of her protégé, popular skit maker Akinyoola Ayoola, popularly known as Kamo State.

The actress’ absence from Sunday’s premiere of Kamo’s debut cinema film, Star Lomo, has generated questions from some netizens, particularly because of the close relationship the pair have shared in recent years.

Kamo and Akindele’s relationship became more prominent during the production of Everybody Loves Jenifa in 2024, where the skit maker was involved in the promotion of the film and subsequently became closely associated with the actress.

Kamo frequently appeared in content shared by Akindele on Snapchat, where the actress often gives followers glimpses into her personal and professional life.

Akindele has also been seen hosting Kamo and his wife, while she has supported and promoted some of his projects.

Through his association with Akindele, Kamo featured in projects including Aiyetoro Town Season 2, Behind The Scenes and Everybody Loves Jenifa.

The pair have also been seen together at several events, with Akindele publicly showing support for Kamo on different occasions.

However, their frequent appearances together appeared to reduce earlier this year, with Kamo no longer featuring as regularly in Akindele’s social media content.

The development, coupled with Akindele’s absence from his movie premiere, has fuelled speculation among some social media users about a possible disagreement between the two. The reactions have also led some social media users to draw comparisons between Kamo and Akindele’s past relationships with other protégés, including Juliana Oloyede, popularly known as Toyo Baby, and Tobi Makinde.

The actress’ absence has also attracted attention because Kamo held his Star Lomo premiere in Lagos while Akindele was in Ghana for a staycation with singer Waje, one of the cast members of her forthcoming film, The Four.

Depegan of Lagos (@Mautiin01) questioned Akindele’s absence, writing, “WHERE IS FUNKE AKINDELE? Kamo supported Funke heavily during her own movie season, but now it’s his turn and we hardly see her anywhere. Why isn’t Funke showing Kamo the same support?”

The post generated mixed reactions, with some users questioning the actress’ absence and others defending her.

Fúnmilọ́lá A. (@funmilo_la) responded, “If not for Funke Akindele, would you have known Kamo? You lots just like to farm engagements on nonsense. Did Kamo come to complain to you? Why is a fully grown adult invested in people’s private lives. Nigerians.”

Also defending Akindele, Vgooduc (@Vgoodll) wrote, “Funke Akindele attended Kamo wedding in Ibadan sponsored the child naming ceremony, she even featured him in her movies even when the scene are not needed! Because she didn’t attend the premier she’s now a bad person.”

Meanwhile, First Man (@AdeAjay07519752) drew attention to Akindele’s whereabouts, writing, “While Kamo State is premiering his movie STAR LOMO in Nigeria, his screen mother, Funke Akindele is in Ghana hiking. Datiemo.”

Another user, royalbestie (@Royalbesti), wrote, “Kamo did what he did to get exposure please. Meanwhile funke did a proper pr for him when he did ilu le on YouTube. How is funke akindele not showing for the premiere yesterday determine the success of the movie?”

Defending Akindele, Prisca (@Priscy5_) wrote, “People want Funke Akindele to have problem with everybody she has ever worked it. Funke is in Ghana and you don’t know the kind support she would have given to Kamo for that movie and it’s premiere but Twitter people like dragging her.”

Similarly, adeloisade (@awoman_engineer) wrote, “What Funke has done for Kamo is way more that what Kamo has done for her. She put him in two of her blockbuster movies, hyped him with all his content, attended his wedding, paid for his child’s naming ceremony, hosted him and his wife in her home a lot. Leave FA.”

However, s@RioLa (@SariolaHahremu) claimed that the development suggested the pair were no longer on good terms, writing, “It’s now evident that they are not in good terms at the moment because Funke is like a god mother for Kamo and in all the promotions for the movie sef I didn’t see any from Funke.”

The Graced Olabisi (@OlabisiZoey) also commented on Akindele’s relationship with people who work with her, writing, “Honestly, Funke Akindele should stop all the overfamiliarity with the people who work with her because this is why people start shouting ‘user’ because now, they think the person is now automatically her family member Let everybody do their job and go home.”

However, the online speculation does not by itself establish that Akindele and Kamo have fallen out.

Kamo’s relationship with Akindele has previously been characterised by public displays of support, with the actress featuring him in her productions and promoting his work.