By Prince Tony Ogbetere
The recent exchange involving Nigerian filmmaker Kunle Afolayan and actress Funke Akindele has once again exposed a deeper problem in our public space—especially on social media. It is not really about cinema returns, promotions, or even personalities. It is about how we listen, how we read, and how quickly we react.
At a filmmakers’ forum, Kunle Afolayan made a point many creatives quietly agree with: that cinemas should find better ways to guarantee a reasonable return on investment for filmmakers without subjecting them to exhausting, physical promotional tours. In explaining his point, he referenced Funke Akindele—clearly as an example of the heavy promotional burden successful filmmakers often shoulder, not as a criticism of her work ethic or achievements.
Kunle has since confirmed that Funke called him privately to express displeasure over the mention of her name, and this spilled into public reactions online. Fans and followers, armed with fragments of information, took sides instantly—mostly without bothering to understand what was actually said, in what context, and for what purpose.
Here is the uncomfortable truth: Kunle Afolayan did not say anything negative about Funke Akindele. The issue was not insult. It was interpretation. And this is where the real problem lies.
Nigeria’s social media space is increasingly driven by soundbites instead of substance. Headlines replace full conversations. Short clips replace long explanations. People react to what they think they heard, not what was actually said. Many listen, not to understand, but to respond. And once anger is triggered, comprehension shuts down.
This phenomenon thrives for a few reasons.
First, there is headline culture. Many people no longer read beyond the headline or watch beyond the first 20 seconds of a clip. Nuance dies quickly in such an environment.
Second, there is fan loyalty without reflection. Fans of celebrities, influencers, and politicians often feel a duty to “defend” their favourites at all costs. Context becomes irrelevant. Facts become optional. The goal becomes victory, not truth.
Third, there is emotional exhaustion. A lot of Nigerians are angry, frustrated, and tired. Social media becomes an outlet for releasing bottled-up emotions. Unfortunately, this means neutral statements are often received as attacks, and conversations escalate into conflicts unnecessarily.
Fourth, there is a growing issue of poor listening and reading comprehension. This is not about intelligence; it is about habits. Many people skim information and jump to conclusions. In a fast-paced digital space, patience is treated as weakness.
So what can be done?
First, slow down reactions. Not every post requires an immediate response. Taking a few minutes—or even hours—to understand context can prevent days of unnecessary conflict.
Second, separate mention from attack. Referencing someone in an argument is not the same as insulting them. Public discourse requires thicker skin and clearer thinking.
Third, fans must resist proxy wars. You can admire a public figure without turning every conversation into a battlefield. Defending someone should never mean abandoning reason.
Fourth, content creators and media platforms should prioritise full context. Short clips should not replace complete explanations, especially on sensitive issues.
Finally, we must relearn how to listen—to understand, not just to reply. Civil conversation is impossible where comprehension is weak and emotions are permanently on edge.
The Kunle–Funke situation will pass, as all social media storms do. But the pattern will repeat unless we address the real issue beneath it. Until then, misunderstandings will continue to masquerade as controversies, and anger will keep feeding on poor comprehension.
And that is a far bigger problem than any disagreement between two respected creatives.
