The moment occurred at the premiere of The Return of Arinzo, a film by Iyabo Ojo, held at the Balmoral Event Centre in Lagos. In the widely circulated clip, Abraham is seen approaching a table of colleagues and attempting to greet them. While others acknowledged her warmly, Akindele appeared not to respond, keeping her focus elsewhere.
Earlier in the same sequence, Abraham had exchanged greetings with notable industry figures including Mercy Aigbe and Ojo, making the moment involving Akindele stand out more sharply to viewers.
The incident has drawn attention partly because it contrasts with Akindele’s recent public stance on unity within Nollywood. Speaking at the premiere of Love and New Notes, a film by Timini Egbuson, she had emphasised the need for collaboration over competition in the industry.
Addressing colleagues and guests at that event, Akindele encouraged practitioners to support one another, stressing that success in Nollywood should not be viewed as a zero-sum game. She also commended the film’s production quality and praised members of the cast and crew for their performances and growth.
Among those she highlighted were Eniola Badmus, whom she applauded for showcasing strong acting depth beyond comedy, and Odunlade Adekola, whose versatility she praised. She also acknowledged director Kayode Kasum for his creative direction.
As discussions continue online, neither Akindele nor Abraham has publicly addressed the viral moment. Whether the clip reflects a deliberate snub or a fleeting misunderstanding remains unclear, but it has nonetheless reignited conversations about relationships and professionalism within Nollywood.