AY under fire over comment on how men lack support in Nollywood

Actor and comedian Ayodeji Makun, popularly known as AY, has sparked a heated debate online after voicing his frustrations about the perceived lack of support for male actors in Nollywood.  

In a tweet intended to promote his latest movie, *The Waiter*, AY lamented that men in the industry don’t seem to receive the same level of backing as their female counterparts, controversially stating, “Must we have breast and yansh to have the support of our fellow men?”  

His comment quickly ignited backlash, with netizens accusing him of trivializing the hard work of women in Nollywood and playing the “pity card” to draw attention to his film. Critics argue that his remarks reduce the success of female actors to their physical attributes, overlooking their talent and efforts.  

One user, @Winifred, dismissed his tweet as desperate, writing, “This reeks of ignorance. Promote your movie without downplaying others’ efforts. And if you’re so pressed, go for a BBL like Bobrisky; maybe then we’ll watch your movies.”  

Another user, @UchayOkolee, highlighted the successes of leading actresses like Funke Akindele, stating, “Reducing Funke’s achievements to ‘breast and yansh’ is absurd. If support was about physical attributes, men wouldn’t need pity tweets to promote their work.”  

Others pointed out successful male filmmakers as counterexamples. @Osumare Ayomi quipped, “Femi Adebayo, Kunle Afolayan, and Niyi Akinmolayan don’t have breasts either, yet they thrive. Maybe AY needs to re-evaluate his approach.”  

The uproar has since turned AY’s tweet into a trending topic, sparking discussions about gender dynamics and meritocracy in Nollywood. While some sympathized with his sentiments, others believe his phrasing undermined the talent and dedication that have propelled both men and women in the industry to success.