Popular Nollywood actress, producer and filmmaker Toyin Abraham has publicly called out Nigerian cinemas over what she described as troubling ticket-handling practices surrounding her new movie, Oversabi Aunty.
In a strongly worded outburst that has since sparked conversations across the Nollywood space, the actress alleged that some cinema chains were marking Oversabi Aunty as sold out despite visibly empty seats inside the halls. According to her claims, cinema staff allegedly issued tickets for entirely different films but later ushered those ticket holders into the screening halls for Oversabi Aunty.
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The situation, Toyin Abraham suggests, not only misrepresents audience turnout but also raises serious questions about transparency in cinema ticket sales and film performance tracking in Nigeria.
Oversabi Aunty, a comedy drama which Toyin Abraham both directed and starred in, has been one of the most talked about releases this festive season. Since its cinema debut on December 19, the film reportedly grossed nearly one hundred million naira in its opening weekend, making it the second biggest Nollywood opening of 2025 so far.
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The actress’s frustration appears rooted in the belief that these alleged ticket swaps undermine both the integrity of box office figures and the trust between filmmakers, exhibitors and audiences. In her view, empty halls being labelled as sold out distort the true picture of audience engagement and could potentially affect revenue sharing and performance analysis.
Her comments have reignited an ongoing debate within the Nollywood industry, where several filmmakers have previously complained about ticketing discrepancies, underreported sales and lack of clarity from cinema operators. While some industry observers believe Toyin Abraham’s claims highlight long-standing structural issues, others have offered alternative explanations.
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Skeptics argue that the situation could simply be the result of overwhelming demand leading to scheduling errors or logistical lapses during peak cinema periods. Others insist that popular films often experience uneven crowd flow, where early ticket sales do not always translate to full halls at specific screening times.
As of the time of this report, major cinema chains have not issued any official response addressing the allegations raised by the actress.
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Regardless of where the truth ultimately lies, the Oversabi Aunty controversy has once again drawn attention to the need for greater transparency, better data reporting and improved accountability within Nigeria’s cinema distribution system. For an industry that continues to grow in scale and global recognition, many believe resolving these recurring issues is essential for Nollywood’s long-term sustainability.
