Few topics get Nollywood fans talking like a debate over who is the better actor. So, when film critic and radio broadcaster Tolu Fagbure, popularly known as Afin, declared that Wumi Toriola is a better actress than Funke Akindele, Mercy Aigbe and Toyin Abraham, social media quickly lit up with different opinions.
His comments have divided movie lovers. Some agree that Wumi Toriola deserves more recognition for her performances, while others believe it is impossible to rank her above actresses who have spent years dominating the box office and winning major awards.
Beyond the debate over who is the better actress, Fagbure’s remarks have raised a bigger question: what should matter most when judging Nollywood stars? Is it acting talent alone, or should filmmaking, career achievements and audience impact also count?
This feature looks at the comments that sparked the debate, why Fagbure believes Wumi Toriola stands out, and what the conversation reveals about how excellence is measured in Nollywood.
Who Is Tolu Fagbure (Afin)?
Tolu Fagbure, better known as Afin, is a Nollywood film critic, radio broadcaster and media personality. Over the years, he has become known for sharing honest opinions about Nigerian movies, actors and filmmakers.
His reviews often spark conversations because he looks beyond popularity and focuses on storytelling, acting and the overall quality of a film. While not everyone agrees with his views, many movie lovers respect him for speaking his mind.
That is why his recent comments on a podcast about Wumi Toriola attracted so much attention. By placing her above some of Nollywood’s biggest female stars, Fagbure challenged a belief many fans have held for years—that the biggest box office names are automatically the best actors.
The Comments That Sparked the Debate
The debate started during an interview when Fagbure was asked about Nollywood actresses. Instead of choosing the usual favourites, he boldly ranked Wumi Toriola ahead of Funke Akindele, Mercy Aigbe and Toyin Abraham.
He said:
“Wumi Toriola is better than Funke Akindele, Mercy Aigbe, and Toyin Abraham put together when it comes to acting, and she’s the wisest of them all.”
Fagbure also explained why he holds Toriola in such high regard. He pointed to her 2024 cinema film, Queen Lateefah, which he described as a better-produced movie. According to him:
“If you watch Queen Lateefah, it’s a better film production. She didn’t credit herself as a producer; she hired Judith Audu because she knows she’s not capable.”
For Fagbure, that decision showed humility and professionalism. Rather than trying to do everything herself, he believes Toriola trusted an experienced producer to handle the project, which helped improve the final result.
His comments quickly spread across social media, with fans sharing different opinions on his ranking. At the time of writing, none of the actresses mentioned has publicly responded.
Why Fagbure Rates Wumi Toriola So Highly
Although his comments sounded controversial, Fagbure’s opinion was based on more than personal preference.
The first reason is Toriola’s acting. He believes she delivers stronger and more convincing performances than many of her colleagues. In his view, she brings depth to her roles and makes her characters feel real.
The second reason is Queen Lateefah. Fagbure believes the film stands out because of its production quality. He sees it as proof that Toriola understands the importance of working with the right people.
The third reason is what he described as her wisdom. Instead of taking credit as the film’s producer, Toriola brought in filmmaker Judith Audu to oversee the production. Fagbure believes knowing your limits and trusting experienced professionals is a strength, not a weakness.
Whether people agree with him or not, his comments highlight an important point. Making a successful film is not just about acting. It also involves teamwork, good decisions and knowing when to let others bring their expertise to the table.
How the Four Actresses Compare
Fagbure’s comments have once again raised an old question: what really makes a great actress? While acting talent is important, many fans also look at consistency, versatility, awards, cinema success and overall impact on the industry.
Wumi Toriola has built a strong reputation in the Yoruba movie industry. She is known for moving easily between comedy and emotional roles, and many viewers praise her ability to make her characters feel natural and believable. Her cinema film Queen Lateefah also marked an important step in her career.
Funke Akindele is widely regarded as one of Nollywood’s biggest success stories. She has enjoyed a long acting career and has also become one of Nigeria’s most successful filmmakers. Her record-breaking cinema releases and ability to connect with audiences have made her one of the industry’s most influential figures.
Toyin Abraham has earned praise for her versatility. She is comfortable in comedy, family dramas and emotional roles, and she has delivered several hit cinema films over the years. Her willingness to take on different kinds of characters has helped her remain one of Nollywood’s most popular actresses.
Mercy Aigbe has also enjoyed a successful career spanning many years. Best known for her work in Yoruba cinema, she has built a loyal fan base through memorable performances. In recent years, she has also found success as a filmmaker, producing cinema projects that have performed well with audiences.
Looking at their careers, it is easy to see why opinions differ. While Fagbure believes Wumi Toriola stands above the rest in terms of acting, others feel the achievements of Funke Akindele, Toyin Abraham and Mercy Aigbe make the debate far more complicated.
Mixed Reactions From Fans
As expected, Fagbure’s comments sparked strong reactions online. Some people agreed with him, saying Wumi Toriola is one of Nollywood’s most underrated actresses. They argued that her performances often deserve more praise than they receive and supported his view that bringing Judith Audu on board as producer showed maturity and professionalism.
Others strongly disagreed. They pointed to Funke Akindele’s record-breaking films that garnered billions of Naira at the box office, Toyin Abraham’s consistency and Mercy Aigbe’s long-standing success, arguing that those achievements cannot be ignored when discussing Nollywood’s finest actresses.
Some fans also felt Fagbure’s statement was exaggerated, especially his claim that Toriola is “better than Funke Akindele, Mercy Aigbe and Toyin Abraham put together.” While they acknowledged Toriola’s talent, they argued that every actress has her own strengths and has contributed to the growth of the industry in different ways.
Conclusion
Tolu Fagbure’s comments may have divided opinions, but they have also reminded movie lovers that there is no single way to measure greatness in Nollywood.
For some people, outstanding acting is enough to earn the title of the best. For others, success at the box office, years of consistency, awards and contributions to filmmaking carry just as much weight.
What cannot be disputed is that Wumi Toriola, Funke Akindele, Toyin Abraham and Mercy Aigbe have all made important contributions to the Nigerian film industry. Through their talent, dedication and memorable performances, each has built a career that continues to shape Nollywood.
