Nollywood premieres are known for glitz, glamour, and headline-worthy fashion moments—but this past weekend, all eyes shifted from the red carpet to a fiery altercation between two of Nigeria’s most recognizable actresses, Laide Bakare and Eniola Badmus.
The drama unfolded on Sunday at the star-studded premiere of “Owambe Thieves”, a new film by Eniola Ajao, hosted at Circle Mall in Lekki, Lagos. The event, intended to celebrate storytelling and entertainment, quickly became a hotbed of controversy when a video surfaced showing Bakare and Badmus in a heated argument.
In the now-viral clip, Laide Bakare is seen confronting Eniola Badmus with a blunt question that sent shockwaves through social media: “Are you mentally okay?” The tension was palpable as Eniola shot her a piercing look before walking away. But Bakare wasn’t done. She stood her ground, continuing the confrontation in front of cameras and onlookers.
What followed took the feud from offline whispers to public drama. On Monday morning, Bakare took to Instagram to share private messages exchanged between the two. According to the screenshots, the root of the tension was a photo Bakare allegedly posted — one that Eniola found deeply unflattering. Badmus didn’t hold back in her messages, labelling the act as “animalistic behaviour”.
Bakare’s response on Instagram was equally scathing. She accused Eniola of ingratitude, stating she was the first to give Eniola a major acting role during a time when the industry had turned its back on her due to her body size.
The situation has left fans divided. While some sympathize with Eniola for feeling publicly embarrassed, others believe Laide Bakare had every right to stand up for herself.
This clash between two industry veterans isn’t just a spat—it reflects deeper issues around body shaming, professionalism, and respect in Nollywood. As debates rage online, one thing is clear: the drama behind the scenes might just rival anything seen in front of the camera.
Stay tuned — because in Nollywood, the story never ends when the credits roll.
