Wunmi Toriola Tells Desola Afod to Name Names, and Drop the Afod Surname If It’s a Problem

Actress Wunmi Toriola has hit back at Desola Afod over her comments on theatre practitioners, and her advice about the Afod surname is getting people talking.

Nollywood’s theatre circle is buzzing, and it all started with one video.

Actress Wunmi Toriola has responded to Desola Afod, the ex-wife of actor Kunle Afod, over her recent comments about theatre practitioners. Her main point is simple: if you have a problem with someone, say their name. Don’t paint a whole profession with the same brush.

Desola recently complained that some theatre practitioners have disrespected and embarrassed her. One thing that seems to bother her is being called by her first name.
She didn’t say who she was talking about. That’s exactly what rubbed Wunmi the wrong way.

In her video, Wunmi said that kind of broad statement hurts everyone in the industry. She told Desola to mention the people involved or even show their pictures.

“I find it very insulting and disrespectful,” she said.

For Wunmi, it’s also personal. Theatre is where her income comes from, so she isn’t staying quiet while it’s being run down. “I would not allow you to just use your mouth to disrespect it,” she said.

Then she brought up the past. Wunmi remembered a time when Desola stepped into a disagreement between her and a colleague. She said she held her peace back then, and the reason is interesting. She didn’t want to disrespect Kunle Afod, who was still Desola’s husband at the time.

So in her mind, she’s been the one showing restraint.

This is the part many people will talk about. Wunmi said that if Desola believes the Afod name is the reason she’s facing disrespect, she can simply change it.
“You can bear your father’s name,” she said.
Ouch.

It’s easy to see why this one caught attention. You’ve got a known name, a very public marriage history, and a whole community of theatre people who feel they’re being lumped together. Some people will agree that vague shots aren’t fair. Others may feel the surname comment was a bit sharp.

Either way, Wunmi has made her position clear. Whether Desola answers back or not, one thing’s obvious: when you speak about “theatre practitioners,” some of them are listening.