Femi Branch’s public fallout reminds us why Nollywood must rethink power, ego, and accountability

The Nollywood culture of silence

Nollywood has long allowed the myth of “temperamental genius” to excuse terrible behavior. There are stories, whispers, quiet warnings, about explosive outbursts, exploitative contracts, and unchecked egos. Femi Branch’s incident just happens to be the one that got caught on camera.

But if the assault allegations weren’t enough, another firestorm erupted when a user on X (formerly Twitter), identified as Pastor Timilehin, accused the actor of owing his father, Mr. Tolulope Komolafe, N9.7 million, an unpaid debt dating back to 2011. 

According to Timilehin, the money was originally loaned with an agreement of N50,000 monthly interest to help finance Branch’s film Onile. That’s over a decade of silence, no repayment, and reportedly no acknowledgement. 

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The accusation came with receipts, a letter allegedly written by Femi Branch himself, requesting the loan. Yet, when reached for comment, the actor declined to say a word. And while silence might be a legal tactic, in the court of public opinion, it reads as indifference.

So what do these two incidents, one violent, one financial, have in common?

They both center around accountability. Or rather, the absence of it.

And this is where Nollywood needs to pause and reflect. Too often, the industry coddles its veterans while undervaluing the crew that works tirelessly behind the scenes. Too often, egos go unchecked because people are afraid to “insult” a legend. Too often, business deals are based on vibes and trust, with little recourse when they go south.

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Silence doesn’t always work

To be clear, Femi Branch, like anyone else, deserves a chance to speak. And if there are layers to this story that haven’t been told, those should come to light.

But choosing not to comment does not erase the weight of these accusations. It simply reinforces the narrative of distance and disregard.

What’s most striking is the tone of the crew’s statement after the alleged slap. They were measured but firm, thanking the 1st AD for his professionalism, commending the crew for standing up for dignity. It was the kind of collective pushback Nollywood rarely sees. And it’s exactly what we need more of.

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This is not just a call-out

This isn’t about cancelling a man’s legacy or sensationalising his mistakes. It’s about drawing a hard line around what is acceptable behavior, regardless of your title or tenure.

It’s about making it clear that violence is not just “passion” and unpaid debts are not just “old stories.” It’s about building an industry that values integrity as much as it values talent.

Because if we keep letting things slide, if we keep separating character from craft, we’ll keep raising generations of filmmakers who believe you can disrespect your colleagues, default on your promises, and still expect to be celebrated.

And that, quite frankly, is the real scandal.

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